n 


y^w^- 

LIBRARY  / 

OF  THE 

University  Of  California. 

Mrs.  SARAH  P.  WALSWORTH. 

Received  October,  1894. 
i/Jccessions  No^^y^Sy.      Class  No, 


fy  ^  /j.   J^^lX^^.1^^^'^^^  vyn^  rU 


^  Q/fi:JUJ^ 


A  /h 


MEMOIR 


^"^^^^^-t^-^^-^x^     ^^^:   ^^^_^^^^^^!^ 


MEMOIR 


REV.   OLIVER  ALDEN   TAYLOR, 


OP 


MANCHESTER,    MASSACHUSETTS 


WITH   A   PORTRAIT. 


BY 


REV.  TIMOTHY  ALDEN  TAYLOR, 

AUTHOR  OF   "the   SOLACE,"    "  ZION,"   AND    "  ZION'S  PATHWAY, 


OvTe  Tzevdog,  ovte  Kpavyrj,  olre  novog  ovk  lorai  hi." 


SEC 


OND     EDITIO^^    •    "^^(i^ 


BOSTON: 

PUBLISHED  BY  JOHN  P.  JEWETT  AND   COMPANY. 

CLEVELAND,   OHIO: 

JEWETT,  PROCTOR,  AND  WORTHINQTON. 

1854. 


f1^ 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congfess,  in  the  year  1854,  by 

REV.   T.   A.   TAYLOR, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts 


CAMBRIDGE : 
ALLEN    AND     FARNHAM,    PRINTERS. 


PREFACE. 


TO     THE     SECOND     EDITION. 


A  LARGE  amount  of  new  material  has  been  in- 
corporated into  this  edition.  There  is  less  of  mi- 
nute detail  than  in  the  'former,  and  whatever  is 
retained  has  been  carefully  revised.  The  aim  of 
the  compiler  has  been  to  present  a  correct  history 
of  one  who  seems  to  have  been  raised  up  as  a 
striking  example  of  what  may  be  accomplished 
in  the  pursuit  of  knowledge,  amid  numerous  and 
almost  insurmountable  difficulties.  Yet  the  relig- 
ious character  of  him  whose  life  is  here  delineated, 
forms  the  most  striking  feature  of  the  work.  Few, 
if  any,  suffer  more  from  a  sense  of  inherent  sinful- 
ness and  utter  unworthiness ;  and  few,  it  is  be- 
lieved, enjoy  more  wonderful  manifestations  of 
Christ's  glorious  presence,  than  did  he. 

For  the  very  kind  and  complimentary  testimo- 
nials in  regard  to  the  execution  and  usefulness 
of  the  first  edition,  the  writer  presents  his  grateful 
acknowledgments.     Especially  does  he  feel  indebt- 


VI  PREFACE   TO   THE   SECOND   EDITION. 

ed  to  Rev.  S.  D.  Clark,  of  Sunderland,  Massachu- 
setts, for  an  extended  and  very  able  Review  of  the 
Memoir  in  the  New  Englander,  November,  1853. 

Shakspeare's  remark,  "  For  by  his  face  straight 
shall  ye  know  his  heart,"  was  preeminently  true  of 
Mr.  Taylor.  The  engraving  was  copied  from  an 
excellent  painting  executed  a  few  months  before 
his  last  sickness,  at  the  request  and  expense  of  a 
friend.  It  is  considered  a  very  good  likeness.  The 
engraver  who  undertook  the  work,  died  in  the  midst 
of  his  labor;  consequently  the  plate  was  not  fin- 
ished in  that  superior  style  of  execution  which 
the  friends  intended. 

May  Zion's  King  use  this  work  for  the  promo- 
tion of  his  own  glory. 

Slatersville,  R.  I,,  March  18,  1854. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  I. 

Page. 
Parentage  and  Childhood, 13-41 


CHAPTER  II. 
Leaves  Home  —  Death  of  his  Father,       .        .        .        42-63 

CHAPTER  III. 
Journey  to  Meadville  and  Residence  there,         .        64-95 

CHAPTER  IV.  * 

His  connection  with  Union  College,        .        .        .      96-127 

CHAPTER  V. 
Studies  Theology  at  Andover,  ....     128-168 

CHAPTER   VI. 

Calls    to    Settle    declined  —  Literary    Pursuits 

from  1830  to  1834, ^       .         .     169-229 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Literary  Pursuits  from  January,  1834,  to  the  Au- 
tumn OF  1838, 230-273 


VIU  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 


Devotes    himself    to  Preaching  —  Settlement    at 

Manchester, 274-315 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Pastoral  Life  from   his   Installation,  September, 

1839,  to  November,  1843 316-384 


CHAPTER   X. 

Pastoral  Life  from  November,  1843,  till  January, 

1847, 385-426 

CHAPTER  XL 
Pastoral  Life  from  January,  1847,  to  January,  1851,    427-475 

CHAPTER  XII. 
His  LAST  Year  —  Sickness  and  Death,       .        .        .    476-532 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

His  Library  —  Estimate   of   his  Character  —  Pub- 
lications,       533-556 

Index, 557-568 


priri7ET  ^--^^ 

MEMOIR. 


CHAPTER  I. 

PARENTAGE    AND    CHILDHOOD. 

l^HE  subject  of  this  memoir  was  born  in  Yarmouth, 
Massachusetts,  August  18,  1801.  His  parents  were 
Captain  Jeremiah  and  Mrs.  Martha  Shaw  Taylor, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  that  town.  He  was 
the  eldest  of  eleven  children,  seven  of  whom,  together 
with  their  mother,  survive  him ;  his  father's  death 
having  occurred  more  than  thirty  years  prior  to  his 
own.  His  father  was  son  of  Captain  Isaac  and  Mrs. 
Mary  Joyce  Taylor,  both  of  them  noted  for  their 
piety.  It  was  their  custom  on  Thanksgiving  days 
to  invite  to  their  house  all  the  pious  Indians  in  their 
vicinity  to  partake  of  a  gratuitous  entertainment. 
His  paternal  grandmother  died  at  Yarmouth,  1779. 
Soon  after  this  event  his  grandfather  removed  to 
Ashfield  and  there  died,  December  31, 1786,  aged  71. 
The  venerable  man  was  returning  on  foot  from  pub- 
lic worship,  when  he  complained  to  a  friend  of  faint- 
ness,  and  dropped  down  dead.  The  ground  was  then 
covered  with  snow.  He  fell  in  the  road  near  the 
house  in  which  Rev.  Thomas  Shepherd  formerly  re- 
2 


14  MEMOIR    OF 

sided.     A  slate-colored  stone  marks  the  place  of  his 
burial  in  the  old  graveyard  on  the  "  Plaint 

Oliver  manifested  in  his  mature  years  great  inter- 
est in  the  history  of  his  ancestors,  but  his  attention 
was  directed  mainly  to  those  on  the  paternal  side. 
Speaking  of  them,  he  says :  "  I  have  found  no  men 
of  royal  blood ;  no  barons,  lords,  dukes,  or  conquer- 
ors; but  instead  thereof,  pilgrims  and  adventurers, 
characterized  by  all  the  imperfections  of  human  na- 
ture, though  often  blessed  with  some  of  the  virtues 
of  Christianity.     Let  my  boast,  like  Cowper's,  be, 

' not  that  I  deduce  my  birth 


From  loins  enthroned  and  rulers  of  the  earth ; 
But  higher  far  my  proud  pretensions  rise  : 
The  son  of  parents  passed  into  the  skies.'  '* 

On  the  toaternal  side  were  many  of  the  clerical 
profession.  His  mother  was  daughter  of  Rev.  Tim- 
othy Alden,  a  descendant  in  a  direct  line  of  John 
Alden,  one  of  the  Mayflower  immigrants.  This 
maternal  grandfather  was  the  eighth  son  of  Eleazar 
and  Martha  Shaw  Alden,  of  Bridgewater,  and  was 
born  November  24,  1736  (O.  S.).  He  graduated 
at  Harvard  College,  1762,  was  ordained  Pastor  of  the 
Congregational  Church  in  Yarmouth,  December  13, 
1769,  and  died  there,  November  13,  1828.  It  will 
be  seen  that  he  sustained  the  pastoral  relation  nearly 
fifty-nine  years,  and  had  almost  reached  the  age  of 
ninety-two.  On  the  tombstone  erected  by  his  peo- 
ple, the  following  testimonial  is  inscribed :  "  He  was 
a  faithful  and  beloved  pastor ;  a  man  of  prayer ;  of  a 
mild,  cheerful,  amiable  disposition,  sanctified  by 
grace ;  of  great  humility,  and  exemplary  in  the  va- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  15 

rious  walks  of  a  long  life.  All  his  hopes  rested  on 
the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  his  end  was  peace." 
During  a  few  of  his  latter  years  Mr.  Alden  enjoyed 
the  assistance  of  a  colleague.  Many  pleasing  anec- 
dotes are  still  related  of  him  by  the  aged  people  in 
Yarmouth.  The  venerable  white  wig-  which  he 
wore  in  his  last  years,  is  in  possession  of  the  writer, 
and  is  in  good  wearing  order.  Mr.  Alden  married 
Sarah,  daughter  of  Rev.  Habijah  WeJd,  of  Attlebor- 
ough,  Massachusetts.  She  was  one  oi  fifteen  chil- 
dren. Her  death  occurred  very  suddenly  at  Yar- 
mouth, October  28,  1796,  in  the  fifty-ninth  year  of 
her  age.  Her  husband  and  three  of  her  six  children 
were  absent  and  so  far  from  home,  that  they  could 
not  return  to  be  present  at  her  funeral.  She  was  a 
lady  of  great  moral  worth  and  exemplary  piety.  Mr. 
Alden's  six  children  all  lived  till  within  a  few  years ; 
but  now  the  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  memoir  is 
the  only  survivor. 

Rev.  Habijah  "Weld,  son  of  Rev.  Thomas  "Weld, 
was  born  in  Dunstable,  Massachusetts,  September 
2,  1702.  His  father  having  died  previous  to  his 
birth,  his  mother,  in  commemoration  of  this  circum- 
stance, called  her  son  Habijah.  He  was  committed 
to  the  guardianship  of  Mrs.  Dorothy  Williams,  of 
Roxbury,  a  sister  of  his  father.  By  her  the  orphan 
son  was  educated  at  Harvard,  where  he  graduated, 
1723.  For  two  years  he  taught  a  school  in  Martha's 
Vineyard,  and  then  was  ordained  in  Attleborough, 
October  1,  1727,  over  the  church  to  which  his  en- 
tire ministry  was  devoted.  He  was  a  most  zealous 
preacher,  fearing  the  face  of  no  man.  His  voice  was 
powerful,  and  his  style  pungent.     Whitefield  several 


16  MEMOIR    OP 

times  preached  in  his  pulpit.  So  numerous  were  the 
communicants  in  his  church  at  the  time  of  a  general 
revival  in  New  England,  that  on  communion-days 
they  could  not  all  be  seated  in  the  lower  part  of  the 
sanctuary.  Mr.  Weld's  death  was  sudden.  He 
preached  on  the  Sabbath,  May  13,  1782 ;  Monday 
Tode  into  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  attended  by  his 
youngest  daughter,  Mrs.  Eunice  Day,  returned  at 
night ;  but  just  as  he  came  near  to  his  house,  he  was 
seized  by  an  attack  of  asthma.  Having  entered  his 
house,  he  seated  himself  by  a  window.  The  physi- 
cian living  near  was  immediately  summoned,  and 
was  preparing  to  bleed  him,  (had  corded  his  arm,) 
when  Mr.  Weld's  head  fell  forward.  Some  one  ob- 
served, "  Mr.  Weld  is  goingP  The  venerable  divine 
raised  his  hand,  closed  his  own  eyes,  placed  that  hand 
upon  his  mouth,  and  passed  away  without  a  strug- 
gle or  a  groan.  A  heavenly  smile  lingered  on  his 
countenance.  He  was  in  the  eightieth  year  of  his 
age,  and  fifty-fifth  of  his  pastorate. 

Mr.  Weld  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Rev.  John 
Fox,  of  Woburn,  son  and  successor  of  Rev.  Jabez 
Fox,  of  the  same  town.  The  latter  is  supposed  to 
have  been  a  native  of  Cambridge,  and,  according  to 
tradition,  was  a  lineal  descendant  of  John  Fox  the 
martyrologist.  He  graduated  at  Harvard,  1665  ;  set- 
tled September  5, 1679,  colleague  with  Rev.  Thomas 
Carter,  the  first  minister  of  Woburn,  and  died  of 
smallpox,  February  28,  1702.  His  son  John  grad- 
uated at  Harvard,  1698,  taught  a  grammar-school 
several  years  in  his  native  town ;  was  chosen  pastor 
as  successor  to  his  father,  and  entered  upon  that 
office  October  4,  1703.     His  relationship  of  pastor 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  17 

continued  till  his  death,  December  12,  1756,  though 
during  the  last  fifteen  years  of  his  life  he  was  blind, 
and  had  a  colleague.  Two  sermons,  which  he  preached 
on  the  occasion  of  a  great  earthquake  that  occurred 
October  29, 1727,  are  still  extant.  The  maiden  name 
of  the  lady  whom  he  married  was  Tyng. 

At  the  time  of  Oliver's  birth,  his  parents  were  in- 
volved in  almost  overwhelming  trials.  Their  history 
for  a  few  years,  commencing  at  a  period  a  little  prior 
to  that  event,  is  one  scarcely  surpassed  for  thrilling  in- 
cident by  any  on  record.  His  father  had  been  sud- 
denly reduced  from  a  state  of  comparative  affluence 
to  absolute  penury.  While  on  a  voyage  to  the  West 
Indies  as  captain  of  a  vessel,  he  was  seized  of  a  fever, 
and  compelled  to  commit  the  management  of  his 
business  to  men  who  treacherously  deprived  him  of 
his  possessions  and  involved  him  in  debt.  The  de- 
tails of  the  case  reveal  wickedness  at  which  human- 
ity shrinks  with  amazement  and  horror.  Captain 
Taylor  was  naturally  high-spirited  and  proud.  He 
yielded  to  no  man  in  courage,  yet  was  noble  hearted 
and  generous,  but  his  soul  was  unbowed  to  the  scep- 
tre of  Jesus.  Reason  lost  her  helm,  and  he  was  con- 
verted into  a  raving  maniac.  Like  the  fabled  Saturn, 
he  once  seemed  ready  to  destroy  his  infant  child. 
When  their  little  son  was  less  than  three  months  old, 
his  parents  removed  with  him  into  Ashfield,  where 
they  resided  two  years.  They  then  took  up  their 
residence  in  the  west  part  of  Hawley,  amid  some  of 
New  England's  wildest  scenery.  At  an  early  age, 
Oliver  exhibited  a  thirst  for  knowledge.  His  father 
taught  him  to  be  industrious,  by  taking  him  into  the 
field,  and  instructing  him  in  the  various  branches  of 


18  MEMOIR    OF 

agriculture ;  but  as  soon  as  the  child  returned  from 
the  toils  of  the  farm,  he  would  seize  a  book  before 
seating  himself.  This  was  his  invariable  custom, 
though  he  might  be  drenched  with  rain  or  shivering 
with  cold.  His  parents  were  possessed  of  many- 
books.  He,  however,  was  not  long  content  with  the 
home  supply,  but  borrowed  of  neighbors.  An  aged 
gentleman  once  remarked,  that  whenever  Oliver  came 
to  his  house,  a  book  was  the  first  requisition  of  the 
young  visitor.  When  a  mere  child,  he  was  known  to 
weep  because  he  could  see  no  prospect  of  obtaining 
an  education.  About  his  thirteenth  year,  his  zeal  for 
learning  became  so  intense  that  he  would  sit  up  very 
late  at  night  reading  by  the  blaze  on  the  hearth ;  and 
when  the  moon  was  large,  he  often  arose  from  his 
bed,  opened  his  chamber  window,  and  studied  by  the , 
assistance  of  its  pale  but  benignant  beams.  The 
penury  of  the  paternal  abode  could  not  furnish  him 
with  even  the  light  of  poverty's  dim  lamp. 

Dr.  Johnson,  in  allusion  to  the  penury  of  his  pa- 
rents, once  observed :  "  There  is  little  pleasure  in  re- 
lating the  anecdotes  of  beggary."  Oliver's  parents 
were  exceedingly  poor,  often  finding  it  difficult  to  feed 
comfortably  and  clothe  decently  their  rising  family. 
One  year  in  particular  (there  is  some  doubt  in  regard 
to  the  exact  date)  Captain  Taylor  denominated  the 
poor  year^  and  compared  the  condition  of  his  family 
to  that  of  a  vessel  on  short  allowance  at  sea. 

Oliver  was  obliged  to  hear  many  a  reproachful  re- 
mark from  wicked  youth,  because  of  his  coarse  and 
mended  garments.  Still  he  ever  acted  a  heroic  part, 
going  wherever  duty  called,  and  bearing  every  taunt 
with  dignified  composure. 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  19 

He  has  left  us  a  brief  history  of  his  childhood  ef- 
forts to  obtain  knowledge. 

"  I  possessed  considerable  of  a  library,  which,  to- 
gether with  the  books  belonging  to  my  father  and 
mother,  made  the  number  nearly  two  hundred.  Many 
of  these  had  been  sent  by  my  uncle,  T.  Alden,  from 
New  York,  to  my  parents,  and  were  given  by  them  to 
me.  My  study  was  sometimes  a  bedroom,  but  more 
usually  a  garret.  My  desk  was  one  of  my  own  man- 
ufacture. My  father  had  a  number  of  joiners'  tools, 
and  I  made  with  them  a  desk,  but  continued  to  im- 
prove it  till  I  was  pretty  well  satisfied.  In  it  were 
deposited  my  papers,  books,  etc.,  and  to  it  I  resorted 
whenever  I  came  from  the  field.  My  attention  was 
chiefly  directed  to  music  and  mathematics,  in  which 
I  had  but  little  instruction.  I  also  studied  Turner's 
Arts  and  Sciences,  and  History,  and  wrote  poetry. 
I  began  to  study  about  the  year  1813." 

His  mother  says,  that  when  he  was  a  little  boy  he 
would  collect  curious  roots  and  herbs,  carry  them  to 
her,  and  propose  many  questions  concerning  their 
nature  and  uses ;  that  he  was  for  prying  into  the 
nature  of  stones  and  rocks. 

The  years  passed  by  this  youth  with  his  parents, 
were  diligently  employed  in  acquiring  all  the  knowl- 
edge that  his  circumstances  permitted.  A  friend 
once  said  to  him,  "  You  can  have  no  bitter  reflec- 
tions for  the  loss  of  time."  He  replied  :  "  I  have  en- 
deavored to  improve  every  moment."  It  became 
necessary  for  him  to  go  out  of  his  own  school  district 
one  winter  to  find  a  teacher  capable  of  aiding  him  in 
arithmetic,  so  much  in  advance  was  he  of  his  asso- 
ciates in  study,  as  also  of  the  instructor.     In  the  sum- 


20  MEMOIR    OF 

mer  season,  while  employed  on  his  father's  farm,  he 
was  accustomed  to  write  out  lessons  on  pieces  of 
paper,  place  them  in  his  hat,  look*  at  them  occasion- 
ally, and  thus  commit  them  to  memory.  In  this  way 
he  mastered  the  rudiments  of  sacred  music,  and  in 
the  autumn  of  1818  he  commenced  attending  a  sing- 
ing school  in  the  central  part  of  the  town.  Having 
toiled  all  day  in  the  field,  he  would  walk  at  night  live 
miles  to  that  school.  In  this  connection,  testimony 
should  be  borne  to  the  son's  fidelity  on  the  farm. 
His  mother  assures  us  that  he  did  not  need  the  pres- 
ence of  an  overseer  to  stimulate  him  to  execute  the 
duties  assigned  him  by  his  father. 

At  a  very  early  age,  he  was  in  the  habit  of  turning 
into  verse  the  most  pathetic  parts  of  the  Bible.  His 
first  attempt  of  this  nature  seems  to  have  been  Da- 
vid's elegy  on  Saul  and  Jonathan.  In  the  course  of 
a  few  years  the  entire  book  of  Lamentations  had 
thus  passed  under  his  pen.  The  products  of  this 
nature  left  by  him  surely  possess  not  much  poetical 
merit ;  but  they  show  the  bent  of  his  mind,  and  the 
industry  which  characterized  him  in  efforts  for  mental 
improvement. 

As  further  illustrating  his  juvenile  mental  turn  the 
following  items  are  condensed  from  reminiscences 
written  by  himself :  "  When  I  first  began  to  read  my 
Bible,  I  recollect  not  the  exact  period,  I  had  been  in- 
formed that  a  lion  is  the  strongest  and  fiercest  of  an- 
imals ;  also,  that  an  eagle  is  the  swifjtest  and  noblest 
of  birds.  Like  other  children  I  had  observed  some 
birds  flying  very  high  and  quick;  also,  I  had  seen 
some  animals  trying  their  strength,  and  evincing  much 
power.     I  had  come  to  the  conclusion  that  man  is  by 


KEV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  21 

no  means  swifter  than  the  former,  nor  stronger  than 
the  latter.  Yet,  reading  an  account  of  Saul  and  Jon- 
athan, I  found  that  they  were  said  to  be  swifter  than 
eagles  and  stronger  than  lions.  At  first  I  believed 
the  statement  to  be  literally  true.  Soon,  however,  I 
asked,  can  it  be  so  ?  The  more  I  reflected  the  more 
I  doubted,  and  finally  referred  the  case  to  my  mother. 
She  said  the  language  meant  that  those  men  were 
very  swift  and  very  strong.  I  believed  her,  but  still 
was  perplexed."  —  "I  recollect  of  hearing,  when  a 
child,  an  echo  to  my  voice  as  I  was  speaking  directly 
in  front  of  a  building.  I  thought  somebody  was 
within  mocking  me.  Immediately  I  asked  my  mo- 
ther to  explain  it,  which  she  did  satisfactorily."  — 
"  Having  in  my  young  years  read  a  tale,  I  was  much 
affected  by  it,  till  my  mother  told  me  there  was  no 
truth  in  it,  when  I  cared  nothing  about  it." 

"  What  is  poetry  ?  This  question  troubled  me  ex- 
ceedingly when  I  was  between  twelve  and  fourteen 
years  of  age.  I  read  it  and  was  pleased,  but  could 
not  tell  what  it  was.  I  searched  through  some  old 
grammars  in  my  possession,  but  I  could  make  out 
nothing  from  them.  After  examining  these  works 
again  and  again,  I  asked  my  father  to  propose  the 
question  to  Mr.  Grout,  who  returned  a  dissertation 
on  the  different  kinds  of  poetic  measure.  This,  how- 
ever, left  me  in  as  much  darkness  as  before.  I  once 
more  betook  myself  to  the  reading  of  what  works  I 
had  and  to  the  examination  of  poetry,  until  I  observed 
that  every  line  of  it  contained  a  certain  number  of 
syllables,  and  this  fact  proved  a  key.  I  gained  just 
such  an  idea  as  the  boy  expressed,  who,  being  asked 
what  verse  is,  replied ;  *  It  is  the  bottle  to  hold  poetry 


22  MEMOIR    OF 

Speaking  of  his  boyhood,  he  says,  he  first  felt  the 
emotion  of  sublimity,  when  standing  upon  one  of  the 
lofty  mountains  near  his  father's  house,  and  that  his 
antiquarian  teudencies  developed  themselves  for  the 
first  time  on  being  told,  that  soldiers  and  Indians  had 
probably  passed  along  where  there  were  indications 
of  an  old  road.  "  I  was  for  collecting  all  the  informa- 
tion respecting  it,  and  writing  myself  or  procuring 
some  one  to  write,  a  history  of  that  part  of  Hawley." 
Again  he  observes :  "  I  was  overwhelmed  with  sub- 
lime emotions  when  I  first  gazed  upon  the  Deerfield 
river." 

In  his  nature  was  the  wellspring  of  glowing  afFec-. 
tion  for  kindred  and  neighboring  playmates.  Of  the 
latter  he  had  very  few.  His  oldest  sister  died  when 
about  four  years  of  age.  He  was  almost  ecstatic  with 
joy  when,  in  his  ninth  year,  for  the  first  time  his  father 
could  tell  him  he  had  a  little  brother.  All  his  sor- 
rows, joys,  and  childish  purposes  he  revealed  to  his 
mother.  In  the  dawn  of  his  existence  commenced  a 
freedom  of  communication  with  her,  which  lasted  to 
the  end  of  his  life.  To  his  sisters  he  was  ever  re- 
markably affectionate,  and  as  brothers  became  of  suf- 
ficient age,  he  entered  into  exciting  sports  with  them. 
Very  playful  he  could  be.  Sometimes  he  terrified 
them  by  plunging  them  into  what  they  thought  deep 
w^ater,  or  by  causing  them  to  look  down  a  precipice. 
His  personations  with  a  wooden  sword  of  the  great 
Napoleon,  are  remembered  by  a  surviving  brother. 
It  must  be  added  here,  that  in  the  neighborhood  where 
Oliver's  early  years  were  passed,  resided  a  class  of 
young  men  whose  supreme  happiness  seemed  to  con- 
sist in  hectoring  him.     In  his  later  years  he  has  often 


KEV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  23 

alluded  to  his  dread  of  this  class.  He  would  no  more 
designedly  come  in  contact  with  them  than  with 
greedy  wolves.  Any  time  a  walk  of  miles  would 
have  been  a  joyful  alternative  to  the  hearing  of  their 
reproachful  remarks. 

The  following  incideat  may  not  be  out  of  place. 
When  he  was  a  lad,  being  sent  by  his  parents  one 
winter's  day  on  an  errand  some  miles  from  home, 
he  was  invited  by  two  men  in  a  sleigh  to  ride.  He 
accepted  their  proposal,  and  was  soon  asked  to  drink 
from  a  bottle  they  were  carrying  with  them.  This 
he  promptly  declined.  At  length,  finding  them  going 
in  a  wrong  direction  for  him,  he  jumped  from  the 
sleigh.  One  of  the  men  caught  his  hat,  but  finally 
perceiving  him  bent  on  doing  without  it,  threw  it  after 
him.  This  event  occurred  in  war  time,  and  admitted 
of  a  serious  interpretation.  His  deliverance  seemed 
at  the  time,  to  himself  and  parents,  as  quite  provi- 
dential. In  that  early  period  of  his  life  he  was  the- 
oretically and  practically  in  favor  of  temperance. 

As  previously  intimated,  at  the  time  of  Oliver's 
birth,  his  father  was  not  hopefully  pious.  His  mo- 
ther was,  and  dedicated  her  son  to  God  in  baptism. 
According  to  the  records  of  the  Yarmouth  church 
this  event  occurred  September  23,  1801.  Within 
the  next  two  years  the  father  consecrated  himself  to 
Christ,  and  both  parents  ever  afterward  walked  be- 
fore their  house  "  as  seeing  him  who  is  invisible." 

Oliver's  mother  taught  him,  as  soon  as  he  was  able 
to  learn  them,  prayers,  hymns,  and  Scripture  truths. 
She  used  also  to  sing  him  verses  respecting  a  little 
pious  child  who  died  quite  young.  In  subsequent 
years  he  has  told  her  that  his  whole  soul  was  intense- 


24  MEMOIR    OF 

ly  moved  by  that  singing.  When  more  than  twenty 
years  of  age,  he  besought  her  to  furnish  him  the  ex- 
act lines  which  had  so  powerfully  aftected  his  own 
infantile  spirit.  The  operations  of  his  mind  he  re- 
corded from  the  time  at  which  he  was  capable  of 
committing  his  thoughts  to  paper.  The  following 
extracts  are  condensed  from  an  account  written  of 
himself :  — 

"  When  I  was  six  or  seven  years  of  age,  my 
thoughts  were  much  on  God  and  my  soul.  On  re- 
tiring to  rest  at  night,  I  would  not  allow  myself  to 
sleep  till  I  had  asked  my  mother  so  many  questions 
as  almost  to  tire  out  her  patience ;  nor  before  I  had 
offered  secret  prayer.  Indeed,  ever  since  I  can  re- 
member I  have  been  accustomed  to  pray  in  secret, 
and  at  times  with  comfort.  I  recollect  to  have  first 
communicated  my  feelings  to  my  mother  one  morn- 
ing before  the  break  of  day.  I  had  lain  awhile 
weeping  bitterly,  then  I  arose  and  informed  her  that 
I  was  sorry  for  my  sins.  I  continued  quite  serious 
for  some  time.  Occasionally  I  neglected  secret 
prayer,  but  grief  was  soon  the  consequence.  At 
times  I  fell  into  bad  company,  and  went  so  far  as  to 
join  with  the  profane.  Always,  however,  I  managed 
to  keep  my  guilt  from  the  knowledge  of  my  parents. 
Once  I  became  so  hardened  that  I  seemed  not  to 
care  whether  I  should  be  happy  or  miserable.  In 
the  year  1815,  the  Lord  I  hope  appeared  for  my 
renewal  I  then  supposed  that  my  convictions  were 
unknown  to  every  human  being  except  myself.  But 
my  father  has  since  told  me  that  he  had  seen  me  at 
prayer  in  retired  places.  Often  did  I  long  for  pious 
companions,  that  I  might  join  with  them  in  social 


KEV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  25 

devotions.  Moreover,  I  desired  to  unite  with  the 
church,  yet  dared  not  for  awhile  name  the  desire  to 
any  one.  On  a  certain  evening  I  contrived  to  ask 
my  mother  divers  questions  in  regard  to  the  method 
of  doing  it.  She  remarked,  *  I  would  be  glad  to  see 
you  join  the  church,  if  fit  for  it'  This  reply  cut 
short  all  my  queries.  I  knew  not  what  to  do.  Not 
long  afterwards,  my  father,  returning  home  from 
meeting  on  the  Sabbath,  announced  the  coming'  out 
of  one  convert.  I  then  thought  if  I  were  truly  born 
again,  some  person  must  be  able  to  report  the  fact. 
I  resolved  to  hope  no  more,  and  gave  up  all  as  lost." 

After  making  a  public  profession  of  religion  he  was 
wont  to  date  back  his  hopeful  renewal  as  early  as 
when  he  first  desired  to  unite  with  the  church.  Yet 
he  was  never  able  to  decide  on  any  exact  date  for  the 
supposed  change.  His  account  of  himself  proceeds : 
"  I  now  have  a  desire  to  be  a  minister  of  the  gospel, 
and  to  do  what  shall  be  in  my  power  for  the  good  of 
mankind.  Oh  that  I  had  not  spent  so  much  of  my 
time  in  sin !  May  I  henceforth  look  to  God,  hope  in 
him,  and  trust  myself  in  his  hands,  not  because  of 
supposed  worthiness  in  me,  but  on  account  of  the 
goodness  of  Jesus." 

The  following  are  specimens  of  his  meditations 
while  he  was  in  his  fourteenth  year.  His  language 
is  here  altered,  but  his  thoughts  are  not :  "  O  son  of 
man,  why  dost  thou  not  think  of  thy  last  end  ?  Re- 
turn unto  the  Lord.  —  Who  shall  deliver  me  from 
everlasting  burnings  ?  I  cannot  escape  except  through 
Christ,  and  yet  I  lie  on  a  bed  of  sloth,  crying  for  a 
little  more  sleep  and  slumber.  Assist,  Lord,  and  I 
3 


26  MEMOIR    OF 

will  come  to  thee,  bowing  at  thy  feet.  Save  me  — 
save  me  for  Christ's  sake,  before  it  be  too  late." 

Again  he  writes :  "  Let  us  seriously  meditate  on 
eternity.  I  behold  my  fellow-mortals  falling  into  the 
grave,  and  know  not  how  soon  I  shall  be  called  to 
pass  the  iron  gate  of  death.  Lord,  teach  me  the 
way  to  Zion.  —  One  day  when  I  was  felling  a  tree, 
a  limb  descended  suddenly  and  liked  to  have  killed 
me.  Thanks  to  God,  I  am  spared.  O  my  soul, 
why  wilt  thou  not  hear  the  calls  to  prepare  for  death. 
Open  thy  door  to  a  crucified  Saviour.  Think  a  few 
moments  on  the  solemn  hour  when  thou  wilt  be  called 
to  stand  before  the  judgment  bar. 

From  Febmary,  1816,  for  several  months  he  kept 
an  almost  daily  journal  in  addition  to  noting  down 
fragmentary  meditations.  Beginning  with  that  date 
some  extracts  will  be  presented.  They  furnish  a  con- 
nected view  of  the  included  period. 

"  Now  let  my  pen  record  my  sins,  at  least  a  few  of 
them,  for  there  is  nothing  good  in  me.  My  heart  this 
day  is  in  a  dreadful  state.  7.  —  Lord,  let  not  thy 
spirit  depart  from  me,  but  cause  a  double  portion  of 
it  to  rest  upon  me.  O  Jehovah,  suffer  not  one  who 
cries  after  thy  love,  to  die  without  it.  22.  —  Last 
evening  heard  my  father  and  sick  mother  talking 
about  their  immortal  souls,  and  what  warning  should 
their  anxiety  be  to  me  a  sinner.  To-day  I  have 
heard  the  Rev.  Jonathan  Grout  converse  with  my 
mother  respecting  her  soul.  23.  —  Still  I  have  a  sick 
mother.  Oh,  in  what  distress  she  was  last  evening ; 
how  did  she  cry  for  mercy. 

"  March  1.  — ^^  I  have  not  been  to  the  house  of  God 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  27 

for  some  time,  on  account  of  my  broken  arm,  which 
is  getting  better.*  We  hear  of  the  goings  forth  of 
God  in  this  and  other  towns.  O  joyful  news !  May 
the  revival  come  even  to  me.  My  life  is  running  to 
waste.  Lord,  pass  me  not  by.  3.  —  To-day  I  have 
been  reading,  and  now  sit  down  to  write;  but  it 
would  be  impossible  to  express  all  that  I  feel.  Some- 
times I  am  inclined  to  murmur  against  God;  at 
others  I  feel  as  though  I  would  seek  him,  and  pre- 
pare for  death ;  but  in  a  few  moments  the  good 
thought  is  gone,  and  I  say  or  do  something  which 
fills  me  with  horror.  O  Jesus,  thunder  into  my  ears 
the  words  of  life.  Fill  me  with  a  godly  sorrow  for 
all  my  sin ;  send  me  ever  so  much  pain,  if  thou  wilt 
only  preserve  me  from  death  eternal. 

"  April  10.  —  Give  thanks  to  God,  and  bless  his 
holy  name  for  the  goodness  he  has  shown  to  my  soul. 
After  much  affliction  in  my  mind,  I  have  received 
comfort,  I  trust,  from  him.  Light  gently  flowed  into 
my  mind,  and  I  felt  delivered  from  the  borders  of 
destruction.  Wonderfully  is  the  Holy  Spirit  poured 
out  in  this  region.  How  greatly  doth  the  Lord  show 
mercy.  28.  —  Attended  meeting  to-day.  Last  week 
I  was  examined  before  the  church  with  others,  and 
to-day  have  been  propounded  for  admission  into  it. 
There  are  fifty-three  candidates. 

"  May  4. —  The  spirit  of  God  doth  rest  on  old  and 
young  in  this  town.  No  one  gainsays  religion  pub- 
licly. For  awhile  we  did  nothing  but  attend  meet- 
ings every  day  in  the  week.  To-morrow,  fifty-three 
expect  to  profess  Christ.     May  it  be  that  I  shaU  be 

*  He  fell  one  day  on  the  ice  and  broke  his  arm. 


28  MEMOIR    OF 

found  having  on  a  wedding  garment.  6.  —  Monday 
morning.  Yesterday  I  attended  meeting,  and  with 
more  than  fifty  of  my  fellow-mortals  entered  into  a 
solemn  covenant  with  God."  He  stood  the  last  of 
the  candidates,  and  remarked  afterwards,  that  he  felt 
himself  the  least  of  them  all.  "  Many  were  present 
from  other  towns.  We  sat  at  the  table  of  our  de- 
parted Lord.  I  hope  that  I  did  not  eat  and  drink 
unworthily;  yet  fear  that  I  have  but  little  sense  of 
his  most  precious  body  and  blood.  When  for  a  mo- 
ment I  see  myself  in  the  arms  of  Christ,  my  heart  is 
full,  and  I  could  devote  my  whole  life  to  his  service ; 
then  of  a  sudden,  like  Peter,  I  lose  sight  of  him  and 
begin  to  sink.  Still  he  is  always  at  hand  to  hear  my 
cry  for  help.  Fcrty-eight  out  of  the  fifty-three 
who  were  received  into  the  church  had  been  bap- 
tized on  the  faith  of  their  parents,  which  shows  that 
God  remembers  his  covenant.  24.  —  This  day,  as  I 
was  travelling,  I  turned  aside  into  a  burying-ground, 
and  took  a  view  of  the  graves.  When  the  trumpet 
shall  sound,  the  dead  will  arise.  I  was  affected  by 
"what  I  saw,  and  trembled  for  the  wicked.  It  is,  in- 
deed, a  solemn  sight  to  see  the  flesh  of  man  return- 
ing to  dust ;  but  sooner  or  later  we  must  all  come 
to  it." 

Under  date  of  June  8,  he  says :  "  Frequently 
while  I  have  been  in  company,  it  has  been  as  much 
as  I  could  do  to  refrain  from  bursting  into  tears  and 
crying  aloud,  as  I  have  thought  of  what  Christ  has 
suffered  for  me,  and  how  little  I  am  doing  for  him. 
It  would  be  a  privilege  to  die  for  him  among  the 
heathen.  It  is  my  desire,  should  I  be  fit  for  it,  to  be 
a  missionary.     9.  —  There  is  a  total  eclipse  of  the 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  29 

moon  this  night.  My  soul  has  been  in  one  for  some 
time,  but  I  trust  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  will  arise 
upon  me  and  chase  away  my  darkness.  19.  —  I  en- 
joy a  calmness  of  mind.  But  when  I  reflect  on  the 
death  of  Christ,  and  how  little  what  he  has  done  for 
the  world  is  known,  my  heart  is  ready  to  break  for 
grief.  21 .  —  Am  full  of  doubts  and  fears.  Indeed, 
I  have  all  the  wretched  feelings  that  a  mortal  can 
experience.  Nearly  fifteen  years  of  my  life  are  gone, 
and  how  large  a  portion  of  them  has  been  spent  in 
sin !  —  Unto  the  Saviour  of  sinners  will  I  look,  and 
hope  in  him. 

"  July  8.  —  Yesterday  we  again  commemorated  the 
love  of  Jesus,  at  his  own  table.  Some  were  received 
into  the  church.     I  did  not  feel  as  1  could  wish. 

"  August  23.  —  The  eighteenth  of  the  present 
month  is  past,  and  I  am  fifteen  years  old.  Why  was 
I  made  to  hear  thy  voice,  O  Jesus,  and  live  —  how 
thankful  ought  I  to  be  I  Woful  is  the  case  of  sin- 
ners, without  God  in  the  world. 

"  Sept.  1.  —  Another  sacramental  Sabbath.  Eigh- 
teen have  been  admitted  to  the  church.  We  hear 
the  welcome  news  that  the  gospel  is  carried  to  the 
distant  parts  of  the  world.  Jesus,  awake  my  heart 
to  love.  Let  me  die  in  the  remotest  place,  if  thy 
cause  require  it.  15.  —  Alas,  how  little  do  I  write  to 
my  kindred  and  young  companions  to  warn  them. 

"  Nov.  4.  —  At  the  time  of  the  sacrament,  I  had  sud- 
den flights  of  joy.  Five  united  with  the  church.  10. 
—  Here  I  am,  stupid.  Christ  does  not  appear  lovely. 
What  shall  I  do  ?  But  did  one  ever  die  without 
Christ,  while  longing  for  him  ?  " 

Writing  bitter  things  against  himself  was  an  early 
3* 


30  MEMOIR    OF 

habit  with  Oliver,  and  one  which  he  never  entirely 
relinquished.  Yet,  to  human  inspection,  his  outward 
conduct  from  the  time  of  his  indulging  a  hope,  seemed 
remarkably  consistent,  and  indicative  of  a  deep  work 
of  grace  in  the  heart.  The  writer  remembers  having 
been  tenderly  addressed  by  him  on  the  subject  of 
personal  piety.  When,  one  evening,  he  saw  me  re- 
tiring to  rest  rather  early,  he  expressed  his  regret,  as 
he  had  purposed  to  speak  with  me  about  Jesus. 
Soon  after  this  he  took  an  opportunity  when  we  were 
in  the  field.  I  was  only  a  child,  but  he  told  me  that 
Jesus  died  for  sinners,  and  that  I  needed  to  be  for- 
given ;  said  I  ought  never  to  take  my  food  without 
asking  the  blessing  of  God  upon  it ;  that  all  our  pe- 
titions to  the  Lord  should  be  in  the  name  of  Christ; 
that  it  was  only  for  the  Redeemer's  sake  blessings 
could  be  given  us.  Once  he  heard  R.  and  myself 
uttering  language  that  he  deemed  improper,  and, 
with  an  authority  commanding  our  respect,  he  ad- 
ministered a  rebuke  which  had  a  permanent  effect. 

In  those  days  there  was  but  one  place  of  public 
worship  in  Hawley.  The  sanctuary  stood  five  miles 
from  his  father's  house,  and  the  way  to  it  was  ex- 
ceedingly rugged.  At  what  age  Captain  Taylor 
thought  his  children  capable  of  performing  a  pilgrim- 
age to  God's  temple,  the  writer  does  not  know.  It 
is  certain,  however,  that  they  were  eager  to  make  it 
as  soon  as  he  judged  proper  for  them  to  attempt  it. 
Engi'aved  on  the  writer's  memory  is  his  own  first  as- 
cent unto  the  house  of  God.  He  alludes  to  the  event 
as  illustrative  of  the  character  of  his  departed  bro- 
ther. Within  those  hallowed  walls  I  had  been  bap- 
tized, and  once  subsequently  had  I  glanced  at  their 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  31 

exterior^  but  was  a  stranger  to  the  interior.  The 
great  era  had  arrived  in  my  life  when  parental  wis- 
dom decided  that  I  might  go  to  meeting  on  the  Sab- 
bath. Scarcely  an  event,  I  am  inclined  to  think,  in 
subsequent  years,  has  awakened  livelier  emotions  or 
sincerer  joy  in  my  own  breast  than  did  their  an- 
nouncement to  me  during  the  w^eek,  that  on  the 
coming  Lord's  day  I  should  join  in  worship  with  the 
great  congregation.  It  was  a  pleasant  sacred  morn. 
I,  the  second  son,  was  fitted  out  for  meeting,  and  was 
placed  under  the  guardianship  of  the  eldest.  For 
about  one  mile  we  passed  on  rather  silently,  Oliver 
having  a  very  meditative  mood,  and  appearing  to  be 
more  or  less  absorbed  in  grave  reflections.  His  step 
w^as  too  quick  for  me,  yet  I  was  ambitious  not  to  tax 
in  any  way  his  patience.  It  was  his  good  fortune  to 
fall  in  with  a  kindred  spirit  after  we  had  advanced  a 
fifth  of  the  distance.  During  all  the  remainder  of 
the  walk  they  conversed  on  the  works  of  God.  Often, 
however,  did  he  inquire  of  me  whether  I  were  tired. 
The  form  of  the  earth  was  one  of  their  topics.  It 
was  thought  by  some,  they  said,  to  resemble  an  e^^ 
flattened  at  the  ends.  I  was  struck  at  the  time  with 
the  conversation,  to  which  I  listened  attentively,  and 
have  often  thought  of  it  since.  Their  theme  was 
suited  to  the  day ;  it  was  discussed  with  profound 
reverence.  Evidently  the  Most  High  was  in  all  their 
thoughts.  Nor  less  distinctly  do  I  remember  the  reli- 
gious conversation  between  my  brother  and  a  man 
unknown  to  me,  which  was  held  during  the  intermis- 
sion. They  spoke  of  the  dying  Christian ;  compared 
his  exit  to  the  going  out  of  a  candle,  which  brightens 
up  after  its  fire  has  seemed  extinct. 


32  MEMOIR    OF 

^  Oliver  was  never  fond  of  going  into  those  pleasure 
parties  which  are  common  among  young  people.  In 
order  to  test  him,  one  day  his  mother  told  him  that 
the  youth  in  the  vicinity  were  to  meet  the  coming 
evening,  and  she  inquired  if  he  did  not  wish  to  be 
one  of  the  company.  His  reply  was :  "  Mother,  I 
have  no  desire  for  such  places."  This  was  when  he 
was  about  fifteen  years  of  age ;  yet  evening  after 
evening  he  would  walk  three  and  four,  and  sometimes 
five  miles,  to  attend  religious  meetings.  This  was 
done  after  severe  labor  through  the  day.  If  he  knew 
of  a  pious  associate,  who  could  be  induced  to  go,  he 
w^ould  present  an  invitation.  It  required  no  little 
courage  to  venture  out  amid  the  darkness  of  night  in 
that  wild  region.  He  could  not  go  in  any  direction 
without  passing  through  dreary  places.  Occasion- 
ally he  would  tarry  away  from  home  till  morning ; 
but  it  is  believed  that  ordinarily  he  returned  to  his 
father's  house.  An  old  gentleman  is  now  living  who 
remembers  to  have  heard  a  rapping  at  his  door  one 
night  after  himself  and  family  had  retired  to  rest. 
On  inquiring  who  might  be  there,  and  what  was  de- 
sired, he  was  answered :  "  Oliver  wishes  to  lodge 
here."  The  dear  youth  was  returning  from  a  prayer- 
meeting,  and  either  his  strength  or  courage  had  failed 
him.  The  writer  recently  saw  a  lady  at  whose  hus- 
band's house  some  of  the  young  people  were  accus- 
tomed, at  the  period  to  which  I  refer,  to  meet  for 
weekly  conference  and  prayer.  She  retains  a  dis- 
tinct image  of  my  brother's  appearance  on  those  oc- 
casions. He  was  dressed  in  a  manner  indicative  of 
his  parent's  poverty,  and  was  characterized  by  ex- 
treme modesty.     A  remote  and  dark  corner  of  the 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  33 

room  was  his  habitual  resort  for  a  seat.  Though  not 
unwilling  to  speak  or  lead  the  devotions  of  the  assem- 
bly, he  preferred  listening  to  others  rather  than  occu- 
pying the  time  himself.  It  may  be  added,  that  when 
enjoying  the  instructions  of  a  pious  teacher  in  the 
day  school,  he  would  seek  private  interviews,  that 
they  might  bow  together  before  God ;  also  that  his 
father  frequently  called  upon  him  to  conduct  family 
worship. 

Deacon  Jonathan  Oakes,  now  of  Dover,  Ohio,  was 
one  of  Oliver's  youthful  associates.  In  a  letter  to 
the  compiler,  dated  December,  1853,  he  says  :  "  Until 
your  brother's  conversion  my  acquaintance  with  him 
was  rather  limited,  but  after  that  event  I  was  uni- 
formly anxious  to  enjoy  his  society,  and  we  were 
much  together,  considering  the  distance  between  our 
homes.  He  would  often  call  on  me  as  he  was  on  his 
way  to  the  house  of  God,  or  to  the  weekly  prayer- 
meeting.  Sometimes  he  would  return  with  me  on 
these  latter  occasions  and  pass  the  night  at  my  fa- 
ther's. Those  were  precious  seasons  to  me,  and  I 
think  they  were  so  to  him.  In  secret  we  resolved 
together  to  be  the  Lord's  forever ;  together  we  pro- 
fessed our  faith  in  Jesus,  and  commemorated  for  the 
first  time  a  Saviour's  love  in  the  sacred  Supper.  The 
absorbing  desire  of  his  mind  seemed  to  be  to  know 
and  do  the  will  of  God.  But  I  was  permitted  to 
enjoy  his  society  for  only  a  short  time,  having  re- 
moved with  my  parents  to  Ohio,  in  July,  1816.  I 
saw  him  no  more  till  September,  1836,  when  I  prov- 
identially met  him  and  passed  a  night  with  him  in 
Hawley.  It  was  a  scene  of  thrilling  interest.  That 
was  our  last  interview  till  we  meet  above." 


34  MEMOIR    OF 

Of  the  revival  noticed  on  a  previous  page,  Rev. 
Mr.  Grout  published  a  brief  account  in  the  Pa7ioplist 
of  May,  1816.  From  his  letter  I  extract  the  follow- 
ing :  "  This  spring  we  have  been  blessed  with  a  most 
remarkable  shower  of  divine  grace.  About  forty ,„ 
perhaps  upwards,  in  the  space  of  one  week  were 
hopefully  brought  to  bow  to  the  King  of  Zion.  The 
number  who  have  hopefully  embraced  religion,  is 
not  less  than  one  hundred  and  eighty  in  this  small 
town.  Fifty-three  were  yesterday  received  to  our 
communion."  In  1846,  Oliver  incidentally  noticed 
Mr.  Grout's  letter  in  the  Panoplist.  A  few  days  af* 
terwards,  being  on  a  visit  to  Hawley,  he  wrote  to  a 
friend  the  ensuing :  — 

"  What  a  flood  of  thought  and  emotion  the  dis- 
covery of  the  above  notice  caused  to  rush  through 
my  mind !  The  meeting-house  directly  east  of  me, 
is  the  one  in  which  was  then  witnessed  such  a  dis- 
play of  divine  glory  I  From  the  chamber  of  the  little 
white  cottage  in  which  I  am  preparing  to  send  you  a 
letter,  I  look  out  upon  its  pulpit  window ;  and  were 
my  old  minister  there  engaged  in  preaching,  I  could 
distinctly  hear  his  voice.  I  enter  the  sacred  place, 
and  find  it  the  very  same,  the  inroads  of  time  alone 
excepted.  I  was  one  of  those  fifty-three  that  filled 
up  the  broad  aisle.  That  revival  was  the  first  one  I 
ever  witnessed,  and  it  produced  a  great  change  in  the 
religious  state  of  this  town.  For  years  previous,  as 
we  climbed  the  mountains,  on  our  way  to  the  house 
of  God,  some  in  wagons,  some  on  horseback,  and 
more  on  foot,  little  or  nothing  was  heard,  even  among 
professors,  but  conversation  about  worldly  affairs; 
and  we  descended  these  mountains  on  our  way  from 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  35 

the  house  of  God,  engaged  in  no  better  employment. 
At  noon,  the  principal  inhabitants  were  seen  clustered 
together,  in  summer  time,  around  some  well  or  under 
some  tree,  discoursing  on  politics,  and  engaged  in 
telling  revolutionary  stories  ;  or  if  it  were  winter,  they 
found  some  neighboring  room  with  a  fire,  about 
which  they  crowded,  and  engaged  in  the  same  enter- 
tainments. I  regarded  it  as  a  feast  to  get  among 
them,  as  a  listener.  I  was  quite  sure  to  hear  some- 
thing of  what  was  going  on  in  the  world,  or  to  be 
entertained  with  war  anecdotes.  Much  secular  in- 
formation did  I  gather  in  this  way,  and  many  a  po- 
litical discussion  did  I  hear  on  these  occasions ;  one 
of  which,  as  I  still  remember,  respected  Napoleon's 
invading  this  country.  There  was,  indeed,  a  little 
coterie  of  professors  who  met  at  the  minister's,  and  a 
few  in  some  other  places,  who  talked  occasionally  of 
religion ;  but  even  these  were  engaged  in  discussing 
some  knotty  point  of  Calvinism,  rather  than  in  dis- 
coursing on  what  was  to  edification  in  piety.  Those 
who  retired  to  pray,  there  may  have  been,  and  prob- 
ably were,  but  I  saw  them  not ;  and  they  were  un- 
questionably few  in  number.  At  length,  the  revival 
began  to  make  its  appearance.  No  extra  means  had 
been  employed  to  bring  it  on.  Protracted  meetings 
and  other  new  measures  had  not  then  an  existence. 
It  came  in  the  course  of  God's  providence,  under  the 
influence  of  the  ordinary  means  of  grace ;  and  had, 
doubtless,  were  the  truth  known,  been  preceded  by 
much  individual  intercession  for  it,  at  the  mercy-seat ; 
God  having  previously  poured  out  a  spirit  of  suppli- 
cation upon  a  class  of  faithful  ones. 

"  Some  time  in  the  course  of  the  summer  or  autumn 


36  MEMOIR    OF 

of  1815,  my  father,  on  his  return  from  meeting  one' 
Sabbath,  informed  us  that  there  were  persons  under 
conviction  of  sin,  and  that  an  individual  had  obtained 
a  hope.  This  is  the  first  I  remember  to  have  heard 
of  the  work.  About  the  same  time,  also,  there  was 
a  gradual  increase  in  the  number  and  fervency  of  the 
prayer-meetings  in  the  more  central  parts  of  the  town. 
Never  shall  I  forget  a  few  meetings  that  I  attended 
about  this  time,  of  course  as  an  impenitent  specta- 
tor ;  and  how  much  of  the  allotted  time  was  wasted 
in  excuses  and  apologies,  that  should  have  been  spent 
in  solemn  prostrations  of  soul.  In  course  of  the  fol- 
lowing winter,  I  was  laid  up  with  a  broken  arm. 
Severe  sickness,  too,  invaded  our  family,  and  detained 
us  for  some  time  much  from  God's  house.  We  con- 
tinued, however,  to  hear  joyful  reports  respecting  the 
progress  of  the  work.  There  has  been  nothing  like 
it,  it  was  said,  since  the  days  of  the  apostles.  It 
seemed  to  some,  that  a  new  season  of  Pentecost  was 
coming  over  the  land.  The  Lord,  too,  was  merciful 
to  our  family  in  its  remote  corner  of  the  town.  My 
own  parents,  both  of  them,  appeared  almost  con- 
verted over  again.  My  mother,  in  particular,  on  a 
sick-bed,  went  through  a  long  and  distressing  scene 
of  darkness,  before  she  began  to  tune  her  harp  anew 
in  praise  to  God ;  which  she  did  in  a  meeting  lield 
by  the  minister  at  our  house  when  she  was  recover- 
ing, in  the  words  of  the  18th  Psalm,  sung  at  her  re- 
quest :  '  Thee  will  I  love,  O  Lord,  my  strength.'  I 
began,  during  my  own  confinement  to  the  house,  to 
feel  an  uncommon  desire  to  enjoy  the  privilege  of 
again  going  to  the  sanctuary.  I  felt  that  I  had  hith- 
erto been  there  all  my  life  in  vain;  and  should. hear 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  37 

with  new  ears,  if  I  could  only  get  within  sound  of 
the  preacher's  voice.  Our  neighbors,  too,  were  moved 
in  spiritual  things.  Family  after  family,  that  had  lived 
all  their  days  as  if  they  had  never  possessed  souls, 
now  began  to  feel,  think,  and  talk  about  finding  their 
way  to  the  prayer-meetings ;  climbing  the  long  and 
tedious  road  to  the  house  of  God,  on  the  Sabbath. 
Freely  they  made  known  their  feelings  to  professors 
of  religion,  asking  what  they  should  do  to  be  saved ; 
nor  was  it  long  before  an  altar  of  devotion  was 
erected  by  many  a  father,  that  had  resolved,  like 
Joshua :  *  As  for  me  and  my  house,  we  will  serve  the 
Lord.'  At  length  I  found  myself  restored  so  far  as 
to  be  able  to  revisit  the  house  of  the  Lord,  and  to 
mingle  with  his  people.  How  changed  was  the 
scene !  All  our  way  thither  it  seemed  like  a  journey 
to  Zion.  Worldly  conversation  had  vanished,  and 
religious  taken  its  place.  Impenitent  persons  were 
deeply  anxious ;  young  converts,  in  the  language  of 
Canaan,  were  speaking  of  what  the  Saviour  had 
done,  as  they  hoped,  for  them;  while  experienced 
Christians  were  rejoicing  anew  at  the  bright  pros- 
pects that  allured  them  on.  And  again,  what  a  dif- 
ferent place  did  we  now^  find  our  sanctuary !  Every 
thing  about  it  had  assumed  a  serious  and  holy  aspect. 
The  very  ground  around  it  seemed  hallowed.  We 
breathed  a  heavenly  atmosphere.  Our  minister's 
words,  looks,  and  tones  of  voice,  had  never  seemed 
so  powerful.  Every  ear  was  open,  and  every  heart 
ready  to  receive  the  truth,  and  over  many  a  cheek 
rolled  the  tear  of  penitence.  A  young  lady,  who  had 
for  some  time  been  serious,  yet  without  obtaining  a 
hope,  on  arising  with  the  choir  to  sing  the  13th  Psalm, 
4 


38  MEMOIR    OF 

L.  M.,  '  How  long,  O  Lord,  shall  I  complain,'  burst 
into  tears,  and  took  her  seat,  unable  to  proceed. 
Smiles  of  joy  all  around  sat  on  the  countenances  of 
those  who  had  just  commenced  the  work  of  prayer 
and  praise. 

"  At  the  intermission,  nothing  more  was  seen  or 
heard  of  newspapers,  revolutionary  anecdotes,  or  pol- 
itics. Clustered  together  here  and  there,  in  the  sanc- 
tuary, might  be  seen  those  who  were  conversing  on 
the  all-engrossing  topic,  religion,  or  engaged  in  read- 
ing a  good  spiritual  letter  or  book ;  (Sabbath  schools 
then  were  not).  '  O,  my  dear  cousin,  remember  time 
is  short  and  eternity  at  hand,'  were  words  that  caught 
my  ear  as  they  were  read,  and  they  deeply  engraved 
themselves  on  my  heart.  Some  left  the  house  of  God, 
and  resorted  to  a  private  room  in  the  neighborhood 
to  unite  there  in  devotional  exercises.  The  cham- 
bers of  a  public  house  just  at  hand,  whose  keeper 
was  not  a  professor  of  religion,  were  consecrated  to 
such  services,  and  became  rooms  of  prayer.  And, 
when  the  afternoon  public  exercises  were  closed,  with 
what  reluctance  did  we  leave  the  courts  of  the  Lord, 
and  return  to  our  homes.  All  the  way  home  we 
were  conversing  of  the  now  absorbing  theme,  or 
listening  to  others  who  were  dwelling  on  the  same 
delightful  subject.  In  the  evening,  throughout  the 
several  districts  of  the  town,  were  held  religious 
meetings,  at  which  aged  Christians  exhorted  and 
prayed,  young  converts  sang  praises,  inquirers  sought 
instruction,  and  hardened  sinners  gazed  in  amaze- 
ment. 

"  Nor  was  our  religion  at  that  time  confined  to  the 
Sabbath  day.     It  was  carried  into  the  week.     We 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  39 

often  turned  aside  from  our  daily  labors  to  converse 
on  the  things  of  the  kingdom.  Like  Christians  in 
the  days  of  the  apostles,  we  continued,  as  far  as  we 
could,  daily  with  one  accord  in  the  temple  of  God ; 
and  breaking  bread  from  house  to  house,  we  ate  our 
"  meat  with  gladness  and  singleness  of  heart."  Young 
converts,  in  the  glow  of  their  first  love,  were  a  beau- 
tiful sight  to  behold.  Like  young  Melanchthon,  they 
felt  strong  for  the  work  of  the  Lord,  and  were  ready 
to  attack  Leviathan  in  any  point.  '  O  that  I  could 
see  Joseph,'  said  one,  just  as  he  had  returned  from  a 
meeting.  '  It  does  seem  that  I  could  convince  him 
of  the  importance  of  salvation.'  He  expressed  the 
feelings  of  many  others.  What  could  be  more  de- 
lightful than  to  see  them  sitting  or  walking  together, 
engaged  in  speaking  of  their  hopes  and  fears,  and  to 
perceive  them  frequently  retiring,  either  alone  or  with 
a  companion,  to  engage  in  prayer  to  God,  that  he 
might  guide  them  on  their  way  to  Zion.  Hallowed 
friendships  thus  commenced,  were  continued  until 
sundered  by  the  different  walks  of  life  into  which  we 
were  afterwards  led  —  friendships,  as  we  trust,  to  be 
renewed  in  a  coming  world!  How  precious,  even 
now,  is  the  remembrance  of  the  evenings  that  I  was 
permitted  to  spend  at  the  fireside  of  one  still  living 
and  walking  with  God  I  All  those  hours,  I,  with  his 
children,  listened  to  his  voice,  or  inquired  of  him  the 
solution  of  doubts,  we  feeling  ourselves  most  delight- 
fully engaged.  And  how  sweet  did  thy  voice  then 
become  to  me,  dear  J.  I  *  We  walked,  conversed,  and 
prayed  together,  and  in  secret  unitedly  resolved  to  be 

*  Jonathan  Oakes. 


40  MEMOIR    OF 

the  Lord's  forever.  Circumstances  have  cast  our  lot 
in  places  distant  from  each  other ;  but  thy  journey, 
my  brother,  still  lies,  I  trust,  along  the  river  of  life, 
towards  the  city  of  God,  where  may  we,  at  last,  hap- 
pily join  in  endless  praises  to  our  Redeemer.  As 
the  season  advanced,  these  scenes  became  increas- 
ingly interesting,  especially  as  we  climbed  to  the 
house  of  God,  in  company.  Our  thoughts  were 
more  and  more  upon  the  glories  of  Christ's  kingdom. 
We  longed  to  mingle  again  with  the  people  of  God 
within  his  courts,  in  prayer  and  praise.  The  words 
of  the  Psalmist  seemed  ready  to  break  forth  from 
every  individual :  *  I  will  lift  up  mine  eyes  unto  the 
hills,  from  whence  cometh  my  help ;  my  help  cometh 
from  the  Lord,  which  made  heaven  and  earth,'  — 
while  angelic  voices  seemed  to  respond :  '  He  will  not 
suffer  thy  foot  to  be  moved ; '  and  we  felt  again  ready 
to  reply :  *  How  amiable  are  thy  tabernacles,  O  Lord 
of  hosts.  My  soul  longeth,  yea,  even  fainteth  for  the 
courts  of  the  Lord.' 

"  Thus,  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath,  we  eagerly  as- 
cended the  rugged  mountain,  now  pausing  to  refresh 
ourselves  for  a  moment  at  some  spring  that  gushed 
forth  at  the  road-side,  and  then  pressing  on  again, 
ever  and  anon  directing  our  eyes  to  the  lofty  summit 
above  us,  as  far  as  tall  forests  would  permit.  The 
ascent  served  most  beautifully  to  remind  us  of  the 
going  up  to  Jerusalem  in  olden  time.  The  opening 
spring  appeared  an  apt  emblem  of  the  dawning  upon 
us  of  spiritual  delights.  The  ruggedness  of  the  way 
reminded  us,  indeed,  of  the  difficulties  which  we 
knew,  according  to  the  word  of  God,  and  the  testi- 
mony of  more  experienced   Christians,  we  should, 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  41 

sooner  or  later,  have  to  encounter ;  but  then  the  foun- 
tains of  living  waters  that  refreshed  us,  brought  sweet 
intimations  of  the  water  of  life  prepared  for  the 
weary  pilgrim  ;  and  full  of  present  happiness,  we  felt 
that  all  would  be  well.  Thus,  going  on  from  strength 
to  strength,  we  continued  to  make  our  appearance 
before  God  in  his  earthly  Zion,  as  we  hoped  finally 
to  do  in  that  above.  One  after  another,  we  were  in- 
vited to  state  what  the  Lord  had  done  for  our  souls 
preparatory  to  making  a  public  profession  of  his  holy 
name.  At  length  came  the  5th  of  May!  Day  of 
sacred  espousals  to  Christ!  Here  again  how  hal- 
lowed the  scene,  in  which  we  were  engaging !  Most 
inviting  appeared  the  path  of  duty,  most  glorious  the 
prospect  before  us,  while  we  gave  our  assent  to  the 
articles  of  faith,  and  entered  into  covenant  with  the 
people  of  God,  and  with  God  himself.  The  choir, 
as  we  returned  to  our  seats,  sung : 

*  'T  is  done,  the  great  transaction 's  done, — 
I  am  the  Lord's,  and  he  is  mine ; 
He  drew  me,  and  I  followed  on. 

Charmed  to  confess  the  voice  divine.* 

Time  would  fail  me  to  speak  of  the-  many  delightfu. 
walks,  meetings,  and  conversations,  we  had  together, 
during  the  following  summer,  and  of  the  sweet  savor 
the  revival  long  left  on  our  spirits." 

4* 


CHAPTER  11. 

LEAVES  HOME. DEATH  OF  HIS  FATHER. 

Having  completed  his  seventeenth  year,  Oliver  felt 
that  some  direct  and  efficient  steps  must  be  immedi- 
ately taken  towards  obtaining  an  education.  So 
minutely  are  the  events  of  this  period  described  by 
himself,  that  I  shall  need  do  but  little  except  copy 
from  a  journal,  which  he  wrote  out  in  the  spring  of 
1820.  I  shall,  however,  reserve  to  myself  the  right  of 
freely  abbreviating  and  emending  his  language.  The 
compiler  was  familiar  with  most  of  the  events  de- 
scribed in  this  chapter. 

"  In  the  fall  of  1818,  my  ever  beloved  but  afflicted 
parents  were  called  to  severe  trials.  True,  these  sor- 
rows were  only  a  continuation  of  others  by  which  they 
had  been  almost  incessantly  encompassed  since  their 
entrance  into  the  marriage  state.  But  of  these  I  was 
a  large  partaker.  The  mind  of  my  father,  naturally 
strong,  had  been  enfeebled  by  crushing  reverses  in  his 
secular  affairs.  Now,  as  at  some  former  periods,  a 
dense  cloud  enshrouded  his  intellect,  and  reason  was 
dethroned  for  several  weeks.  To  all  the  older  mem- 
bers of  his  family,  this  was  a  season  of  awful  anguish. 
I  perceived  this  cloud  arising  some  time  prior  to  its 
assuming  so  fearful  a  position  over  our  heads,  and  I 
thought  I  foresaw  the  entire  destruction  of  all  my 


MEMOIR    OF    REV.    0.    A.    TAYLOR.  43 

cherished  plans  in  regard  to  the  obtaining  of  an  edu- 
cation. I  knew  not  that  any  mercy  was  in  store  for 
me.  The  Lord,  however,  soon  opened  a  door  of 
hope  by  restoring  in  some  measure  the  health  of  my , 
father.  The  scenes  of  those  few  weeks  were  often 
afterwards  the  subject  of  conversation  between  my 
mother  and  myself,  and  the  occasion  of  adoring 
praise. 

"  No  sooner  had  my  father  become  in  a  good  degree 
restored,  than  I  began  to  importune  him  for  permis- 
sion to  be  absent  during  the  winter,  provided  I  could 
pay  my  own  expenses  as  I  should  pass  along.  He, 
ever  anxious  for  my  welfare,  and  hindered  from  giv- 
ing me  an  education  only  by  the  want  of  property, 
readily  complied  with  my  request.  I  improved  the 
opportunities  afforded  me,  attending  both  an  evening 
singing  school  and  a  common  day  school,  also  work- 
ing for  my  board.  Many  persons  were  very  kind  to 
me,  whose  generous  acts  I  shall  ever  hold  in  grateful 
remembrance.  Some  scoffed  at  every  exertion  that 
I  made,  and  ridiculed  the  idea  that  I  could  ever  be 
any  thing.  Had  I  not  been  previously  informed  that 
my  mother's  brothers,  who  obtained  an  education, 
passed  through  essentially  the  same  trials,  and  that 
a  multitude  of  others  had  fared  no  better,  I  should 
have  given  up  in  despair.  The  winter  passed  amid 
various  conflicts.  Much  was  my  mind  distracted  by 
the  unreasonable  remarks  which  were  made  respect- 
ing my  efforts,  until,  by  the  kindness  of  the  Rev.  Jon- 
athan Grout,  I  was  received  into  his  family.  Under 
his  tuition,  1  enjoyed  about  seven  weeks  of  uninter- 
rupted study,  but  never  was  I  free  from  anxiety  lest 


44  MEMOIR    OF 

my  father  might  be  again  attacked  as  he  had  been 
during  the  preceding  autumn. 

"  When  spring  opened,  I  returned  to  aid  my  father 
by  manual  labor.  He,  however,  judged  it  best  that 
I  should  seek  employment  away  from  home  for  the 
ensuing  six  months.  I  accordingly  engaged  myself 
for  that  period  to  a  gentleman  *  in  Ashfield,  and  com- 
menced my  services  on  the  20th  of  April,  1819.  The 
thought  that  I  must  toil  in  the  field  rather  than  disci- 
pline my  mind,  lay  with  oppressive  weight  upon  my 
heart.  Often  while  on  the  farm,  did  I  look  upon  the 
Academy,  which  was  within  my  sight,  and  sigh  that 
I  should  thus  be  doomed  to  spend  the  flower  of  life, 
when  I  ought  to  be  enriching  my  intellect.  Deter- 
mined to  make  every  possible  exertion  for  the  attain- 
ment of  an  education,  on  the  16th  of  May,  I  WTote 
to  the  Rev.  Timothy  Alden,  my  uncle.  President  of 
Alleghany  College,  in  Meadville,  Pa.,  stating  my  case 
to  him,  and  requesting  him  to  inform  me  whether  I 
could  go  and  work  for  him  a  part  of  the  time,  and 
he  assist  me  in  my  studies.  I  requested  him,  also,  if 
he  deemed  it  best  for  me  to  commence  the  journey,  to 
inform-  me  what  route  I  should  take  to  reach  him. 
After  anxiously  waiting  some  time  for  an  answer,  I 
almost  gave  up  the  hope  of  receiving  one. 

"  While  in  this  perplexity,  I  was  informed  that  the 
Rev.  Thomas  Shepard,  a  young  clergyman  recently 
settled  in  Ashfield,  desired  to  see  me.  At  this  in- 
formation a  gleam  of  hght  dawned  upon  me,  and  I 
determined  to  call  at  once  upon  him  and  state  my 

*  Mr.  Chester  Sanderson. 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  45 

circumstances.  I  did  so.  He  encouraged  me,  and 
said  the  only  difficulty  in  my  way  was  the  necessity 
my  father  felt  of  my  services,  or  what  would  be  an 
equivalent  in  money  —  one  hundred  and  fifty-four 
dollars,  in  addition  to  the  wages  of  the  present  sea- 
son. I  ought  here  to  state,  that  my  father  would 
allow  me  three  years  in  which  to  make  out  the  whole 
sum,  though  a  part  of  it  must  be  paid  annually.  Mr. 
Shepard  expressed  the  earnest  hope  that  there  might 
be  some  overturning  in  my  favor. 

"  In  June  I  received  a  reply  from  my  uncle  T.,  who 
informed  me  that  he  had  written  in  my  behalf  to  the 
American  Education  Society,  and  that  on  getting 
their  returns,  he  would  furnish  me  with  the  result. 
In  the  meantime,  I  continued  my  labors  on  the  farm. 
I  used  to  write  out  portions  of  a  Latin  grammar  and 
place  them  in  my  hat,  that  I  might  commit  them 
when  at  work.  Without  attracting  special  attention, 
I  could  get  occasional  glances  at  the  paper.  In  this 
way  I  would  proceed  several  days  till  I  had  a  suita- 
ble lesson,  then  I  recited  it  to  a  young  student,  Mr. 
Elijah  Paine.*  On  the  last  day  of  August  I  made 
a  visit  to  my  parents,  and  obtained  from  my  father 
the  conditions  on  which  he  could  release  me.  At 
the  expiration  of  four  months,  by  mutual  agreement, 
my  employer  and  myself  parted,  and  I  undertook  to 
make  out  the  remainder  of  the  season  by  working  in 
different  places.  In  the  meantime,  I  was  waiting 
anxiously  for  a  second  letter  from  my  uncle  T.  Be- 
fore it  came,  I  again  wrote  to  him,  making  a  more 
full  statement  of  my  case,  and  asking  whether  or  not 

*  Aftenvards  Rev.  E,  Paine,  who  died  a  few  years  since  at  West 
Boylston,  Massachusetts. 


46  MEMOIR    OF 

I  had  better  go  on  to  him.  My  letter  was  written 
October  11.  Three  weeks  subsequently  I  received 
one  from  him,  dated  the  13th  of  the  same  month. 

"  The  Education  Society  informed  my  uncle  that 
I  must  study  the  Classics  three  months,  and  be  re- 
commended to  them  by  an  authorized  committee, 
before  I  could  enjoy  their  patronage.  Thus  matters 
were  standing  at  the  close  of  the  time  specified  by 
my  father  as  the  term  of  my  laboring  on  a  farm  that 
year.  I  should  have  observed,  however,  that  I  worked 
a  short  time  for  a  Mr.  Waite,  of  Deerfield,  who  per- 
ceiving me  absent  minded  and  neglectful  of  duty, 
inquired  into  the  cause.  I  told  him  my  desires  for  an 
education,  and  he  advised  me  to  obtain  it,  and  thus, 
much  encouraged  me.  Not  far  from  this  time,  I  made 
application  to  a  man  in  Conway,  who  had  previously 
promised  me  money,  provided  I  could  find  him  se- 
curity ;  but  he  now  said  that  he  had  parted  with  it  all  in 
another  way.  Several  unsuccessful  letters  I  wrote  to 
wealthy  gentlemen  in  Ashfield.  I  also  sent  a  line  to 
my  grandfather  Alden,  directing  it  to  my  aunt,  who 
lived  with  him.  In  this  effort  I  succeeded  no  better 
than  in  others." 

From  the  last  named  letter  I  have  condensed  the 
following.  He  wrote  on  a  large  sheet,  with  a  poor 
pen,  and,  as  he  says,  without  being  able  to  re-write. 
I  have  preserved  his  thovg-kts,  and,  so  far  as  possible, 
his  phraseology. 

"Ashfield,  Oct.  24,  1819. 

"  Dear  Aunt  :  —  You  have  probably  heard  that  it 
is  my  desire  to  obtain  an  education,  for  the  purpose 
of  devoting  my  life  to  God.  I  hope  this  desire  of  my 
heart  is  pure  in  his  sight.     You  probably  know  what 


KEY.    OLIVER    A.    TAXLOR.  47 

hinders  me  frcrni  carrying  out  my  purpose.  I  have 
written  to  my  uncle  Timothy,  asking  his  assistance, 
and  he  has  promised  to  grant  it  so  far  as  is  in  his 
power.  My  father  feels  unable  to  part  with  me  with- 
out my  securing  to  him  one  hundred  and  fifty -four  dol- 
lars. I  have  made  many  proposals  to  different  per- 
sons, yet  all  has  been  of  no  avail.  But  what  shall  I 
do  ?  Is  there  no  friend  in  all  the  Christian  world 
that  can  afford  me  any  assistance  ?  Before  giving  up  to 
despair,  I  will  make  one  more  application.  If  I  wait 
till  I  am  of  age,  I  shall  be  too  old  to  commence 
study.  Shall  I  sink  in  despair  of  help  in  this  land  of 
gospel  light?  What  I  would  abruptly  propose  is 
this :  supposing  my  grandfather  would  lend  me  the 
money  for  a  number  of  years,  I  will  agree  to  pay  it 
to  him,  with  interest,  or  to  any  person  he  may  direct, 
so  soon  as  I  shall  be  able. 

"  Dear  Aunt,  I  am  obliged  to  suppress  many  ten- 
der feelings  when  I  make  such  proposals.  I  promise 
by  every  bond  of  Christian  affection  to  pay  the  mo- 
ney if  I  live,  and  am  ever  worth  it.  These  are  the 
only  conditions  on  which  I  can  request  it,  or  make  a 
promise  concerning  its  being  refunded.  You  will 
much  oblige  me  by  reading  this  letter  to  my  grand- 
father, making  the  request  on  my  behalf,  and  return- 
ing me  an  immediate  reply.  If  he  should  not  feel 
able  to  lend  me  the  full  amount,  though  I  know  not 
that  any  smaller  sum  will  answer,  perhaps  he  can,  one 
hundred  or  sixty-five  dollars.  Could  he  let  me  have 
the  whole  sum,  I  should  be  able  to  enter  at  once  upon 
my  studies.  I  must  send  this  letter  without  re-writing 
it,  and  if  you  cannot  excuse  my  faults,  my  extreme 


48  MEMOIR    OP 

haste  will ;  or  if  not,  I  must  bear  the  bkime.  I  should 
be  glad  to  write  you  on  religious  subjects,  but  at  pres- 
ent I  have  no  time.  For  the  rest  of  my  letter,  please 
read  Ps.  ii.  11 ;  Ps.  vi.,  likewise  xiii. ;  and  xxvii.  4." 

At  a  date  somewhat  earlier  than  the  last  named, 
he  wrote  to  his  parents,  and  I  here  present  the  reader 
with  the  ensuing  thoughts  from  his  letter  to  them. 

"Dear  Parents: — I  improve  this  opportunity  to 
inform  you  what  are  my  calculations.  You  probably 
have  heard  that  I  have  left  Mr.  S.  I  desire  that  you 
should  get  every  thing  ready  for  me  that  I  may  start 
on  my  journey  to  Meadville  by  the  first  of  Novem- 
ber. O  my  dear  parents,  all  things  are  in  the  hands 
of  God,  and  why  is  it  not  our  duty  to  commit  every 
interest  to  his  care,  and  attempt  to  do  that  which  is 
of  the  greatest  importance.  The  question  then 
arises,  which  is  of  the  most  importance,  that  you 
should  keep  your  son  to  help  you  maintain  your  fam- 
ily in  a  civilized  land  where  religion  flovirishes,  and 
where  the  road  to  happiness  is  plainly  seen,  where 
the  word  of  God  is  known,  and  where  we  can  escape 
from  hell  and  fly  to  heaven,  or  to  let  your  dear  son  go 
and  declare  the  Word  of  Life  to  the  heathen  ?  Place 
six  eighths  of  this  world  in  the  balance  of  eternity 
against  nine  persons,  the  number  in  your  family,  my- 
self excepted.  Our  Saviour  has  commanded  us  to 
preach  the  gospel  to  all  people.  I  shall  go  to  my 
uncle's  at  the  time  mentioned,  or  before.  If  you 
could  say  to  your  son,  '  you  are  at  liberty,  we  shall 
ask  no  more  of  you,'  I  should  go  with  greater  joy." 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  49 

It  was  not  the  design  of  Divine  Providence  that 
he  should  start  for  his  uncle's  at  the  specified  time. 
New  trials  were  in  reserve  for  him,  before  he  might 
undertake  that  pilgrimage. 

Completely  foiled  everywhere  else,  he  again  re- 
sorted to  Mr.  Shepard.  "  I  asked  him  if  he  would 
make  the^r^^  payment  to  my  father.  He  replied  it 
was  a  great  risk,  yet  he  was  willing  to  become  re- 
sponsible on  condition  my  father  should  allow  me  to 
attend  the  Academy  in  Ashfield  the  ensuing  three 
months.  Here  for  the  first  time  the  door  seemed  to 
be  opened,  and  only  those  who  have  experienced  a 
similar  relief  can  judge  of  my  feelings." 

With  a  joyous  heart  and  bounding  steps  he  went 
on  the  same  day  to  see  his  father,  and  report  the  po- 
sition of  affairs  to  him.  Of  the  welcome  given  him 
by  that  father,  he  thus  speaks  :  "  With  joyful  arms  he 
received  me.  Never  shall  I  forget  this  meeting  with 
him  and  my  mother.  Little  did  I  then  think  that  it 
would  prove  my  last  interview  with  him."  Arrange- 
ments were  made  as  the  son  desired,  when  he  and  his 
parents  walked  together,  calling  on  neighbors  as  they 
went,  stopping  at  every  house,  he  bidding  farewell  to 
them  all,  expecting  to  live  among  them  no  more. 
"  Thus  we  passed  along  for  three  miles  conversing  on 
religious  topics.  Though  I  spent  only  about  two 
hours  with  my  father,  they  seemed  the  most  agreea- 
ble of  my  life.  When  I  told  him  my  conviction  that 
a  Christian  ought  never  to  fight,  he  charged  me  al- 
ways to  maintain  that  opinion.  This  was  his  last  in- 
junction to  me.  I  saw  his  face  no  more  till  it  was 
cold  in  death."  The  son  took  leave  of  his  parents 
and  returned  to  Ashfield. 

5 


50  MEMOIR    OF 

Since  the  decease  of  his  brother,  the  compiler  has 
been  favored  with  interesting  reminiscences  from 
Rev.  Thomas  Shepard,  now  of  Bristol,  Rhode  Island. 
"  It  was  some  time  during  the  summer  of  1819  that 
Oliver  was  introduced  to  me.  I  remember  well  his 
first  appearance.  There  was  something  remarkably 
sedate  and  subdued  in  his  countenance.  His  eye 
and  voice  were  much  the  same  then  that  they  con- 
tinued to  be  while  he  lived.  At  his  first  interview,  he 
lost  no  time  in  describing  to  me  the  strong  desire  of  his 
heart,  the  subject  which  pressed  upon  him  by  day  and 
by  night — an  education  for  the  work  of  the  gospel  min- 
istry. One  argument  he  urged  as  a  strong  indication 
of  Providence,  was  the  fact  which  had  been  told  him 
by  his  mother,  that  she  both  before  and  at  the  time 
of  his  birth  had  consecrated  him  to  the  Lord  for  the 
sacred  office.  But  obstacles  were  in  his  way;  ob- 
stacles which  to  others  less  determined  and  persever- 
ing, would  have  proved  insurmountable.  Again  and 
again  did  he  visit  my  study  after  the  labors  of  the 
field  were  over,  with  the  same  engrossing  topic. 
Finally  he  came  with  his  father's  terms  of  freedom, 
which  appeared  to  light  up  a  little  glimmer  of  hope. 
I  told  him  I  would  consider  the  subject,  but  it  looked 
dark.  In  the  meantime  I  conversed  with  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Grout,  and  obtained  his  opinion  that  the  sum 
demanded  by  your  brother's  father  was  the  least 
which  could  possibly  answer.  I  then  said  to  Oliver, 
I  will  be  responsible  to  your  father  for  the  requisite 
sum.     This  at  once  lifted  a  great  burden  from  him." 

The  kindness  of  Mr.  Shepard  was  ever  held  in  the 
most  grateful  recollection  by  the  subject  of  this  me- 
moir.    Indeed,  it  should  be  observed,  that  the  preach- 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  51 

ing  of  Mr.  B.  exerted  a  happy  and  stimulating  influ- 
ence on  the  youth's  mind.  Most  of  the  clergymen 
in  that  region  were  men  of  great  excellence,  but  some 
were  sadly  neglectful  of  their  studies,  and  nearly  all 
of  them  a  little  too  formal  in  the  style  of  their  dis- 
courses. Mr.  S.  was  then  just  from  Andover,  and 
full  of  ardor ;  his  preaching  was  solemn  and  effective. 

Nothing  now  seemed  immediately  necessary  for 
Oliver  but  to  devote  himself  to  study,  and  this  he  was 
permitted  to  do.  He  became,  in  December,  1819,  a 
member  of  Sanderson's  Academy,  friends  volunteer- 
ing to  give  him  by  turns  his  board  in  their  own  houses. 
"Nothing  of  any  note,"  he  observes,  "occurred  for 
one  month,  except  the  various  opinions  expressed  re- 
specting myself."  Some,  it  would  seem,  doubted 
whether  there  was  in  him  a  sufficient  foundation  to 
encourage  an  attempt  to  rear  an  intellectual  super- 
structure. He  adds  :  "  The  first  marked  success  with 
which  I  confounded  them,  was  in  the  exercise  of 
memory.  I  soon  found  that  all  the  most  respectable 
people  encouraged  me."  By  writing  on  his  thumb 
nails  the  heads  of  a  sermon  while  hearing  it,  he 
would  be  able  to  repeat  on  Monday  morning  before 
the  assembled  members  of  the  school,  nearly  the 
whole  discourse. 

"  It  was  a  hard  task,"  remarks  Rev.  Mr.  S.,  "  for 
him  to  discipline  his  mind  to  the  minutiae  of  a  new 
language ;  his  progress  was  slow,  his  mistakes  were 
numerous.  But  his  patience  and  perseverance  were 
such  as  overcame  all  difficulties.  He  had  fixed  his 
eye  on  the  mark,  and  reach  it  he  would  if  within  the 
scope  of  human  effort.  The  time  was  set  for  me  to 
give  a  written  obligation  for  your  brother's  release 


52  MEMOIR    OF 

from  his  father,  but  before  its  arrival,  death  put  a  pe- 
riod to  the  life  of  that  father." 

When  the  young  student  was  just  beginning  to 
enjoy  the  privileges  he  had  long  desired,  and  when  it 
seemed  that  every  serious  obstacle  in  the  way  of  his 
procuring  an  education  was  removed,  the  Lord  sud- 
denly dashed  from  his  hands  that  cup  of  joy.  While 
engaged  in  his  studies  at  the  house  of  one  who  was 
gratuitously  entertaining  him,  his  attention  was  sud- 
denly arrested  by  the  arrival  of  a  messenger  from  his 
home  in  Hawley.  He  was  startled  by  the  intelligence 
that  his  father  was  very  sick ;  not  expected  to  sur- 
vive the  night.  "  That  sad  evening,"  he  subsequently 
says,  "  I  shall  never  forget.  Every  prospect  of  pur- 
suing my  studies  was  apparently  cut  off  forever. 
Should  my  father  be  taken  away,  I  must  provide  for 
the  support  of  my  mother,  brothers,  and  sisters.  The 
family  in  which  I  was  boarding  well  remember  my 
anguish ;  but  IVIrs.  A.*  comforted  me  by  saying  that 
the  Lord  was  perhaps  designing  me  good,  and  was 
thus  preparing  my  heart  to  receive  it.  Amid  the 
coldness  and  dreariness  of  that  night,  I  started  for 
the  scene  of  sorrow  to  which  I  was  summoned. 
Gloomy  thoughts  swarmed  within  me,  still  I  kept  up 
the  hope  that  life  might  yet  be  preserved  to  my  suf- 
fering parent.  About  sunrise  the  next  morning, 
when  in  sight  of  my  father's  house,  I  was  accosted 
by  a  lady  whose  very  looks  revealed  the  sad  tale  of 
woe  which  her  lips  were  about  to  announce.  My 
father  was  no  longer  among  the  living.  Near  the 
midnight  hour,  his  immortal  spirit  had  taken  its  ev- 

*  Wife  of  Mr.  Barney  Aldeu. 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  53 

eriasting  flight.  I  entered  the  desolate  home,  and 
met  my  heart-stricken  mother  and  her  children." 
Oliver's  arrival  on  that  sad  morning  is  vividly  imaged 
on  the  mind  of  the  writer.  His  head  was  so  severely 
.oppressed  with  pain  that  he  had  bandaged  it  to  obtain 
relief.  Soon  after  he  entered  the  house,  his  mother 
inquired  whether  he  would  then  be  conducted  into 
the  room  of  his  deceased  father.  He  was  too  much 
overcome,  and  craved  to  be  excused  a  little  while. 
This  eldest  child  of  his  widowed  mother  at  once  felt 
that  peculiar  responsibilities  rested  on  him  ;  but  they 
were  assumed  with  a  sense  of  their  solemnity,  and 
with  a  desire  to  do  whatever  he  might  for  the  happi- 
ness of  those  who  survived  in  the  family  circle. 

The  journal  proceeds :  "  The  dwelling  contained 
the  breathless  body  of  my  father,  and  his  face  wore 
a  smile ;  but  oh,  there  was  no  spirit  within  the  clay. 
Where  now  was  that  buoyant  hope  which  only  the 
day  before  was  cheering  my  heart  ?  Gone,  gone,  ap- 
parently eternally  gone.  I  had  never  been  so  ani- 
mated with  my  prospects  as  I  was  just  previous  to 
the  announcement  of  my  father's  sickness.  Now  I 
was  plunged  into  a  depth  before  unknown.  My 
bright  visions  were  fled. 

"  There  lay  my  father.  Long,  long  as  my  breath 
remains,  shall  I  most  aflectionately  remember  him. 
After  being  burdened  and  perplexed  for  a  series  of 
years,  he  was  just  emerging  into  circumstances  of 
comfort.  The  last  seventeen  months  of  his  life  had 
been  peculiarly  happy.  Religion,  during  all  that  time, 
was  preeminently  his  daily  theme,  and  God  his  un- 
ceasing trust.  On  the  2d  day  of  January  last,  he  had 
been  to  the  house  of  the  Lord,  heard  a  New  Year's 
5* 


54  MEMOIR    OF 

sermon,  partaken  of  the  sacrament,  and  returned  to  his 
family.  While  cheerfully  conversing  with  them  on 
the  evening  of  the  Sabbath,  he  was  seized  with  the 
sickness  which,  in  three  brief  days,  terminated  his 
earthly  sojourn." 

Oliver's  father  could  leave  no  pecuniary  legacy  for 
his  absent  son,  but  he  was  enabled  to  do  what  it  is 
believed  w^as  of  far  greater  value  to  that  son.  Just 
before  the  father  expired,  the  mother  inquired  of  him 
if  he  had  any  word  to  leave  for  Oliver.  He  replied, 
"tell  him  to  live  godly  in  Christ  Jesus." 

Another  quotation  from  the  journal.  "  Here  was 
an  end  of  my  studies,  at  least  for  awhile.  I  was 
forced  to  be  resigned  outwardly,  though  within  I  fear 
my  heart  was  hard.  Why,  I  said,  could  I  not  have 
been  permitted  to  converse  with  him  in  his  last  mo- 
ments ?  Then  the  relieving  suggestion  would  arise, 
*  perhaps  he  would  have  enjoined  it  upon  me  to  re- 
side always  with  my  mother.' "  This  remark  he 
makes  as  intimating  with  what  sacredness  he  should 
regard  the  mandate  of  a  dying  father,  and  also  his 
conviction  that  the  providence  of  God  and  his  con- 
scientious mother  could  better  decide  as  to  his  own 
duty,  than  could  his  father  on  that  bed  of  death.  We 
see  here  the  development  of  a  trait  of  his  mind  with 
which  we  shall  become  more  familiar  as  w^e  proceed 
with  his  history.  However  dark  the  clouds  about 
him,  he  was  ready  to  hope  that  behind  them,  yea, 
within  them,  were  blessings  soon  to  be  revealed. 

"  During  the  remainder  of  January,  I  continued 
with  our  bereaved  family,  superintending  my  mo- 
ther's affairs.  With  her  consent,  I  reentered,  on  the 
1st  of  February,  the  Academy  in  Ashfield ;  but  ah. 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  55 

how  melancholy  were  my  reflections  on  going  back! 
I  had  left  at  home  a  widowed  mother,  and  fatherless 
brothers  and  sisters.  The  weather  was  cold  and 
dreary.  I  was  considered  by  many  as  almost  a  frat- 
ricide. A  cousin  of  mine,  prompted,  I  doubt  not, 
by  the  tenderness  of  her  heart,  sharply  rebuked  me 
for  leaving  home  when  my  presence  was  so  much 
needed  there.  But  my  mother  had  given  her  con- 
sent ;  surely  I  should  not  have  gone  w^ithout  it.  Ju- 
dicious friends  were  decidedly  of  the  opinion  that  I 
ought  to  continue  my  studies  at  Ashfield,  provided  I 
would  make  frequent  visits  to  my  mother  in  order  to 
ascertain  that  she  and  her  family  were  comfortable." 
At  an  interview  with  his  mother,  March  20,  she 
handed  him  a  paper  on  which  was  inscribed  the  in- 
cident in  regard  to  the  consecration  to  the  ministry 
that  she  had  made  of  him,  and  to  which  Mr.  Shepard 
alludes.  This  she  intended  he  should  receive  as  her 
recorded  surrender  of  him  to  the  pursuit  of  knowl- 
edge for  the  honor  of  Christ.  He  continued  in  Ash- 
field till  April,  and  found  the  people  very  kind.  His 
board  and  tuition  were  gratuitous.  Early  in  the 
month  last  named,  he  went  to  Williams  College  to 
be  examined  by  the  Faculty,  that  he  might  become  a 
beneficiary  of  the  American  Education  Society.  Mr. 
Shepard  and  Judge  Paine,  of  Ashfield,  furnished  him 
with  the  requisite  testimonials.  This  journey  of 
about  twenty  miles  was  performed  on  foot,  and  at 
the  season  of  the  year  when  travelling  was  extremely 
unpleasant.  He  says,  that  in  view  of  his  anticipated 
examination,  he  trembled ;  for  if  successful,  he  should 
have  taken  one  step  towards  surmounting  all  obsta- 
cles.    If,  on  the  other  hand,  he  should  fail,  his  way 


56  MEMOIR    OF 

would  be  seemingly  hedged  up.  His  emotions  are 
more  fully  developed  in  the  following  language : 
"  Williamstown,  April  5,  1820.  Here  I  am  at  the 
college  in  the  room  of  Mr.  Lucius  Field,  expecting 
every  moment  to  be  called  to  the  President's  house 
for  examination.  What  prayer  shall  I  put  up  to 
God  for  success  ?  O  Lord,  grant  that  I  may  be  car- 
ried through  in  a  calm  manner,  and  do  thou  for  me 
more  than  I  am  able  to  do  for  myself."  The  gentle- 
man in  whose  room  this  w^as  written,  had  been  Oli- 
ver's teacher  for  a  short  time  one  winter.  After  the 
ordeal  was  passed.  President  Moore  remarked :  "  Yes, 
Taylor,  we  are  well  pleased  with  your  examination." 

Before  returning  to  Hawley,  he  made  a  visit  to  his 
uncle  Oliver  Alden,  then  a  merchant  in  Athens,  New 
York,  from  whom  he  received  sundry  articles  of 
clothing  which  he  very  much  needed.  While  at  his 
uncle's,  he  wrote,  by  request,  several  pieces  of  poetry; 
one,  an  acrostic  on  that  respected  friend's  name.  He 
returned,  April  15,  to  his  mother,  who  told  him  that 
she  had  been  exercised  on  his  account,  with  a  multi- 
tude of  anxious  thoughts  during  his  absence. 

Animated  by  the  successfulness  of  his  tour  to  Wil- 
liamstown, he  writes  thus :  "  I  see  a  prospect  opening 
before  me  for  the  gratifying  of  those  desires  which  I 
have  always  cherished,  of  obtaining  knowledge.  To 
search  for  wisdom,  yea,  to  become  a  philosopher, 
was  an  aim  of  my  childhood."  But  he  adds  :  "  I 
find,  however,  that  it  requires  no  study  to  become 
acquainted  with  sin.  There  are  within  me  tenden- 
cies of  which  I  have  reason  to  be  afraid." 

Reverting  to  his  former  anxieties  to  acquire  knowl- 
edge, he  observes :  "  Persons  had  offered  to  educate 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  57 

me,  provided  my  father  would  have  given  me  up 
without  remuneration.  Yet  he  was  perfectly  justi- 
fiable in  requiring  it.  His  views  of  an  education  and 
of  benevolent  enterprises  were  enlarged.  He  was 
willing  to  give  me  up  whenever  the  providence  of 
God  should  indicate  that  to  be  his  duty.  Often  did 
he  comfort  himself  and  me  by  saying  if  I  was  to  be 
useful  in  any  particular  way  in  the  world,  means 
would  in  some  manner  be  furnished  without  his  going 
counter  to  the  dictates  of  his  own  conscience."  Re- 
viewing the  way  by  which  he  had  been  led  and  the 
mercies  that  had  encompassed  him,  he  observes : 
"  Having  been  brought  on  thus  far,  I  feel  under  hjgh 
obligations  to  be  grateful  to  God  for  his  fostering 
care ;  for  his  interpositions  by  which  I  have  been 
preserved  amid  multiplied  dangers  from  the  dawn  of 
my  existence  to  the  present  time.  —  Pride  is  a  poison 
which  operates  very  perniciously  in  my  heart.  O  to 
be  relieved  from  it !  —  I  cannot  see  that  I  have  grown 
in  grace  for  the  last  three  years ;  whether  I  shall  come 
out  a  believer  or  an  infidel  I  know  not,  but  think  I 
can  supplicate  the  guidance  of  God." 

The  following  sketch  of  a  beloved  uncle,  Oliver 
prepared  during  the  short  time  which  he  spent  at  his 
mother's  in  April.  It  is  thought  proper,  on  several 
accounts,  to  insert  it. 

"  Mr.  Isaiah  Taylor  was  the  sixth  child  of  Captain 
Isaac  Taylor,  and  was  born  at  Yarmouth,  Massachu- 
setts, 1766.  He  was  remarkable  in  his  youth  for  a 
quick  turn  of  wit ;  he  also  took  delight  in  singular 
acts  of  roguery ;  though  generally  they  had  no  other 
tendency  than  to  vex  those  on  whom  they  were  com- 
mitted.    His  education  was  a  religious  one ;  his  pa- 


58  MEMOIROF 

rents  being  very  anxious  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of 
their  children.  His  mother,  however,  died  when  he 
was  young.  Soon  after  her  death  his  father  moved 
into  Ashfield,  in  order  to  prevent  his  younger  sons 
from  following  the  sea ;  but  he  did  not  accomplish 
his  object ;  for  this  son  spent  his  life  from  his  ISth  to 
his  26th  year  on  the  water.  Isaiah  was  remarkable 
for  the  tenderness  of  his  feelings  and  the  generosity 
of  his  conduct ;  but  he  was  a  careless  sinner ;  other- 
wise than  as  the  reproofs  and  warnings  of  his  parents 
would  occasionally  press  upon  his  mind.  Thus  he 
continued  till  he  was  called  to  part  with  his  honored 
father,  who  dropped  down  dead  in  the  street  return- 
ing home  on  the  Sabbath  from  the  sanctuary.  It 
was  not  long  after  this  son  had  come  from  sea. 
Isaiah  was  then  about  twenty  years  of  age,  and 
most  deeply  felt  the  sudden  stroke.  When  twenty- 
seven,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Ruth  Bryant,  of  Ash- 
field, and  exchanged  the  life  of  a  mariner  for  that  of 
an  honest  farmer.  Two  years  later  he  met,  as  he 
hoped,  with  a  saving  change  of  heart,  and  soon  maSe 
a  public  profession  of  religion  in  the  church  under 
the  care  of  the  Rev.  N.  Porter.  From  this  time,  to 
all  outward  appearance,  he  adorned  the  doctrine  of 
God  his  Saviour.  In  his  common  conversation  he 
was,  perhaps,  occasionally  too  humorous.  With  the 
young  he  was  ever  familiar  and  playful.  But  when 
the  occasion  required  that  the  subject  of  religion 
should  be  introduced,  all  was  hushed,  except  this  be- 
loved theme.  To  his  friends,  in  their  distress,  he  was 
most  affectionate  and  helpful.-  In  his  own  family  all 
seemed  peaceful  and  happy;  himself  being  loved 
most  dearly.     Generally  he  was  familiar  with  his 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  59 

children  ;  yet  he  had  the  most  perfect  command  of 
them.  His  brother  Jeremiah  —  my  father  —  was 
hopefully  converted  not  many  years  subsequently  to 
Isaiah's  professiqn  of  faith.  Piety  served  to  unite  in 
still  firmer  bonds  of  affection  these  brothers,  whose 
reciprocal  love  was  previously  very  ardent.  During 
the  remainder  of  their  lives  they  may  be  said  to  have 
been  lovely  and  pleasant ;  and  in  their  deaths  they 
were  scarcely  divided.  Their  closing  scenes  were 
near  together,  and  their  views  on  the  bed  of  death 
were  similar. 

"  Desirous  of  doing  what  he  could  honestly  for  the 
support  of  his  family,  my  uncle  entered  "into  partner- 
ship, June,  1819,  with  a  Mr.  Lazel,  of  Buckland,  and 
they  started  together,  going  into  Vermont  to  make 
purchases  for  market.  They  separated  Monday, 
June  14,  to  meet  on  the  next  day.  Mr.  T.  was  very 
soon  taken  sick  of  ague-fits  and  could  not  proceed 
any  further.  A  physician  being  consulted,  it  was 
declared  imprudent  for  him  to  attempt  reaching  his 
home,  (the  distance  being  about  fifty  miles,)  till  the 
symptoms  should  appear  more  favorable.  He,  how- 
ever, felt  that  he  could  not  be  sick  out  of  the  bosom 
of  his  own  family.  With  great  and  distressing  ex- 
ertion he  returned  to  Savoy,  and  stopped  at  the  house 
of  a  friend,  Mr.  Samuel  Hall.  On  his  way  thither, 
so  great  was  hi&  thirst  that  he  was  compelled  to  drink 
at  nearly  every  spring.  He  found  himself  unable  to 
proceed,  and  sent  a  messenger  to  his  family,  who,  on 
the  19th,  succeeded  in  conveying  him  home.  He 
was  highly  gratified  to  find  himself  there  attended 
by  his  most  affectionate  wife  and  children.  The  dis- 
order, however,  had  been  increased  by  the  fatigues  of 


60  MEMOIR    OF 

the  journey.  Skilful  medical  aid  was  immediately 
called,  and  the  prayers  of  God's  people  requested  in  his 
behalf  on  the  next  day,  which  was  the  Sabbath.  All 
was  done  which  kindness  and  wisdom  seemed  to  dic- 
tate ;  yet  the  disorder  did  not  yield.  Sabbath  evening 
he  was  worse.  His  brother  Jeremiah  came  to  see  him, 
and  they  saluted  each  other  in  that  tender  and  affec- 
tionate manner,  which  had  formerly  characterized  their 
meetings.  On  Monday  the  disease  assumed  an  en- 
couraging aspect,  and  the  brothers  parted.  As  my 
father  was  leaving,  my  uncle  said :  '  Do  ask  all  the 
brethren  to  pray  for  me.'  A  prayer-meeting  was  ac- 
cordingly held  the  same  day,  on  his  account,  in  Haw- 
ley.  In  the  course  of  the  day  Dr.  Allen,  of  Buck- 
land,  being  requested  to  state  his  opinion  frankly, 
told  my  uncle  that  his  time  was  short ;  he  might  live 
two  days  and  might  not  live  one.  On  hearing  this 
announcement  he  conversed  freely  about  death  and 
looked  on  his  wife  and  children  with  the  deep  emo- 
tions of  a  dying  man,  at  the  same  time  giving  utterance 
to  expressions  indicating  that  he  was  not  insensi- 
ble to  the  solemnities  before  him.  Laying  his  hands 
across  his  breast  he  died  without  a  struggle  or  a 
groan.  He  left  a  widow  and  eight  youthful  children 
to  mourn  his  loss.  The  funeral  on  Thursday,  June 
24,  at  2  p.  M.,  was  attended  by  a  numerous  con- 
course of  people. 

"  The  oldest  of  his  children,  a  daughter,  was  ab- 
sent at  the  time  of  his  return,  and  though  sent  for, 
arrived  in  the  town  only  in  season  to  hear  the  tolling 
bell  announce  the  age  of  her  deceased  father.  Her 
grief  was  inconsolable.  I  was  myself  at  work  for 
Mr.  Sanderson  in  the  field  when  I  heard  those  mourn- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  61 

ful  tones  which  so  affected  her.  I  was  anxious  to 
attend  the  funeral,  but  feared  to  ask  my  employer's 
permission,  and  as  he  said  nothing  to  me  about  it, 
I  was  not  present  at  the  solemn  scene.  My  parents 
w^ere  there  and  wondered  at  my  absence.  They  re- 
mained over  night  with  the  afflicted  family ;  my  fa- 
ther conversing  in  the  evening  with  them,  and  read- 
ing to  them  the  one  hundred  and  second  Psalm.  I 
visited  these  mourning  kindred  soon  after  the  death 
of  my  uncle,  and  conversed  with  them  on  their  sor- 
rows. I  did  not  then  think  that  I  should  so  soon  lose 
my  own  father.  But  in  the  course  of  a  few  months 
he  was  called  away,  and  on  the  day  of  his  burial  the 
eldest  of  those  cousins  said  to  me  :  *  Oliver,  little  did 
I  think  when  you  came  to  console  us  and  mourn 
with  us,  that  in  so  short  a  time  I  should  have  to 
return  your  affectionate  sympathy.'  " 

The  compiler  would  add,  that  the  widow  of  that 
dear  uncle  still  lives,  but  his  children  quickly  began 
to  follow  their  father.  For  years,  only  two  have 
remained. 

We  now  recur  to  Oliver's  journal.  April  20.  —  "I 
am  now  at  work  for  my  mother,  arranging  her  spring 
affairs,  and  making  preparation  for  my  long  journey. 
To-day,  in  accordance  with  a  request  of  mine,  my 
mother  presented  me  with  a  brief  history  of  my  fa- 
ther's life.  23.  —  In  a  few  days  I  am  to  take  leave 
of  my  friends  here,  and  commence  a  journey  of  nearly 
five  hundred  and  fifty  miles.  It  is  considered  as  a 
great  enterprise,  and  especially  as  I  am  to  bid  fare- 
well to  a  widowed  mother,  and  fatherless  brothers 
and  sisters.  O  may  God  direct  me  till  I  die,  prepar- 
ing me  for  all  disappointments.  But  what  are  my 
6 


62  MEMOIR    OF 

motives  ?  —  My  greatest  burden  is  the  condition  of 
our  family.  There  are  seven  children  younger  than 
myself.  My  mother  is  poor.  —  I  think  it  will  be  nec- 
essary for  me  to  obtain  from  her  a  letter  to  my  uncle. 
—  How  any  of  us  will  succeed  is  known  only  to 
God." 

Owing  to  the  delay  of  a  letter  expected  from  the 
Education  Society,  he  was  fearful  of  being  compelled 
to  postpone  his  journey  for  three  months.  The 
thought  was  distressing.  From  a  somewhat  extend- 
ed paper  the  following  items  are  selected :  "  Being  a 
youth,  exposed  to  many  a  snare ;  having  professed 
Christ  before  men ;  though  knowing  that  the  Lord 
alone  can  help  me,  I  feel  the  importance  of  binding 
myself  to  the  observance  of  certain  regulations.  On 
arising  Sabbath  morning,  I  will,  if  possible,  read  a 
portion  of  the  Bible,  examine  myself,  and  spend  at 
least  half  an  hour  in  secret  prayer,  asking  pardon  for 
all  my  sins,  and  for  the  grace  of  God  to  assist  me  in 
keeping  the  day  holy.  Nor  will  I  forget  to  supplicate 
mercies  on  others.  Wherever  I  am,  I  will  aim  to 
spend  the  Sabbath  so  as  to  honor  God.  For  this 
end,  I  will  refrain  from  worldly  concerns,  and  never 
needlessly  absent  myself  from  public  worship."  Other 
days  he  resolved  to  commence  in  a  similar  man- 
ner, and  to  close  them  with  prayer.  He  would  like- 
wise guard  his  tongue  from  speaking  evil,  but  teach 
it  to  converse  as  opportunity  might  arise  on  the  in- 
terests of  the  soul.  He  purposed  to  make  special 
preparation  on  Saturday  for  the  return  of  the  Lord's 
day,  and  never  to  appear  at  the  table  of  Christ  with- 
out serious  examination  of  himself.  A  determina- 
tion is  also  expressed  to  improve  every  moment  of 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  63 

time.  Under  date  of  April  26,  he  speaks  of  going 
to  Ashfield,  in  order  to  make  farewell  visits,  and  to 
obtain  money  for  his  contemplated  journey.  Ten 
dollars  he  borrowed  of  Rev.  Mr.  Shepard,  and  gave 
his  note  for  it.  Many  persons  expressed  themselves 
very  friendly  towards  him,  but  pecuniary  donations 
for  poor  students  were  rare  occurrences  in  those  days. 
On  the  28th,  the  expected  letter  came,  and  he  says : 
"  Now  I  am  prepared  to  commence  my  journey.  I 
intend  to  keep  a  kind  of  diary,  if  practicable,  and 
minutely  record  my  observations  on  the  progress  of 
vegetation,  and  the  nature  of  the  soils  through  which 
I  may  pass.  Once  a  week  I  shall  write  to  my  uncle 
Oliver,  for  if  I  should  be  taken  sick  on  the  way,  he 
would  be  able  to  render  me  assistance.  I  have  only 
ten  dollars  and  seventy-five  cents.  It  will  be  my  aim 
to  travel  as  cheaply  as  possible ;  perhaps  at  an  ex- 
pense of  fifty  cents  a  day.  This  evening  I  am  to  bid 
farewell  to  the  people  here.  Many  are  wondering 
how  I  can  leave  my  mother ;  but  I  think  I  have  en- 
deavored to  search  out  my  duty.  To  God  I  commit 
her,  and  unto  him  I  look  for  his  merciful  guidance  in 
my  youthful  ways.  I  am  a  sinner.  Numerous 
thoughts  I  would  gladly  pen,  but  want  of  time  for- 
bids.    Mother  has  written  me  a  short  farewell." 


CHAPTER  III. 

JOURNEY    TO    MEADVILLE    AND    RESIDENCE    THERE. 

April  29,  1820,  was  the  day  which  had  been  as- 
signed for  the  commencement  of  his  projected  jour- 
ney. On  the  evening  preceding,  a  large  number  of 
young  people,  and  others  from  the  vicinity,  assem- 
bled at  his  mother's  in  a  farewell  meeting.  The  sea- 
son was  one  of  deep  solemnity.  Several  were  pres- 
ent who  had  been  inclined  to  treat  with  neglect,  if 
not  contempt,  the  invitations  of  Christ.  They  had 
now  convened  at  the  widow's  house  to  sympathize 
with  her,  and  to  listen  once  more  to  the  voice  of  a 
fellow  youth,  as  he  should  address  them,  and  call 
upon  Heaven  to  grant  them  mercy.  His  mother 
says  the  meeting  continued  till  2  o'clock  at  night, 
and  that  the  room  was  filled  with  weeping.  In  clos- 
ing the  services,  he  bade  his  youthful  associates  an 
affectionate  adieu.  Of  this  interview  with  the  young 
people  he  made  himself  a  record :  "  O  how  solemn 
to  part  with  friends,  as  I  do  not  expect  to  return  in 
less  than  five  years."  After  having  left  his  home, 
during  the  first  day's  absence,  he  thus  wrote :  "  This 
morning  took  leave  of  the  house  where  peace,  joy, 
and  sorrow  have  in  turns  possessed  my  heart;  a 
place  w^here  died  my  dear  father,  whom,  though  I 
loved,  yet  often  disobeyed.     I  mourn  for  the  grief 


MEMOIR    OF    REV.    0.    A.    TAYLOR.  65 

which  I  occasioned  him,  and  am  ready  ^t  times  to 
bm*st  into  tears.  May  the  choicest  of  heaven's  bless- 
ings rest  upon  my  mother.  All  that  I,  mourning,  can 
do,  is  to  commit  her  to  God.  I  have  started  on  my 
long  anticipated  tour,  having  not/;  eleven  dollars  and 
ten  cents  with  which  to  defray  my  expenses." 

The  eldest  surviving  brother  was  a  witness  of  the 
affecting  scenes  of  that  morning.  Some  of  the  fa- 
therless children  had  been  provided  with  homes  away 
from  their  mother's  house.  After  breakfast  the  mo- 
ther and  those  of  her  household  still  with  her,  gath- 
ered at  the  family  altar.  Oliver  was  the  officiator, 
and,  perhaps,  as  he  thought,  for  the  last  time.  Wor- 
ship being  closed,  all  the  articles  of  clothing  which 
he  was  to  take  with  him  were  fastened  to  his  own 
shoulders,  giving  him  more  the  appearance  of  a  sol- 
dier than  a  student,  with  the  exception  that  his  only 
weapon  was  a  staff,  which  had  been  presented  him 
by  a  relative.  The  course  from  his  mother's  house 
which  the  young  traveller  must  pursue  was  so  ascend- 
ing that  he  could  be  watched  for  nearly  half  a  mile. 
With  what  intense  emotion  the  writer  looked  after 
that  brother  himself  well  remembers.  The  day  of 
departure  was  to  him  solemn  as  a  funeral. 

It  was,  indeed,  a  great  event,  —  at  least  it  was  then 
so  considered  in  that  region,  —  for  a  young  man  to 
commence  such  a  journey  under  those  circumstances ; 
and  on  the  next  Sabbath,  the  widowed  mother  re- 
quested prayers  in  the  house  of  God,  that  Jehovah 
would  prosper  her  son  in  his  arduous  enterprise. 

Allusion  has  been  made  to  the  son's  request  that 
his  mother  would  furnish  him  with  a  letter,  which  he 
6* 


66  MEMOIR    OF 

might  present  as  proof  that  he  did  not  leave  her  with- 
out her  consent.     The  following  is  the  letter : 

"April  24,  1820, 

"  My  Dear  Son  :  —  Duty  and  nature  have  for  this 
some  time  been  at  variance,  but  duty  has  at  length 
gained  the  victory ;  yet  after  all,  my  son,  it  is  a  try- 
ing time  with  me ;  you  must  needs  think  that  it  is  a 
great  thing  for  me,  in  my  lonely  widowed  state,  to 
have  you  separate  from  me.  The  ties  of  nature  are 
strong  and  binding,  and  it  is  impossible  for  children 
to  feel  for  parents  what  parents  do  for  children ;  but 
I  am  sensible  you  feel  enough  for  me ;  you  have 
searched  your  heart,  you  have  studied  what  your 
duty  is ;  therefore,  my  son,  the  first  thing  you  have 
got  to  do,  is  to  perform  your  duty  to  your  God,  and 
in  so  doing,  you  will  do  your  duty  to  every  living 
creature.  You  are  cast  out  into  the  wide  world  at  a 
time  when  you  need  to  be  much  on  your  guard ; 
youth  is  easily  drawn  aside;  therefore  gird  on  the 
whole  armor  of  faith,  and  for  an  helmet  take  the 
hope  of  salvation,  whereby  you  may  be  able  to  with- 
stand all  the  fiery  darts  of  the  adversary.  Remem- 
ber the  words  that  your  dying  father  left  behind  for 
you,  *  Live  godly  in  Christ  Jesus.'  May  it  never  be 
said  of  you,  that  you  have  left  your  first  love.  Let 
nothing  hinder  you  from  daily  and  fervent  prayer ; 
and  when  you  address  the  throne  of  grace,  remem- 
ber your  mother,  brothers,  and  sisters.  The  eyes  of 
many  are  fixed  on  you  as  being  an  instrument  in  the 
hands  of  God,  to  bring  many  souls  to  Jesus ;  and  let 
it  not  be  said  that  Oliver  is  an  apostate ! 

"  This  world,  my  son,  is  a  gloomy  place  to  me ; 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  67 

and  should  I  hear  that  my  children  follow  the  ways 
of  sin  and  iniquity,  it  would  quickly  break  my  heart. 
All  the  satisfaction  I  expect  in  this  life,  is  to  strive  to 
do  what  shall  be  most  for  the  glory  of  God,  and  to 
see  my  children  walk  in  truth.  I  have  often,  my  son, 
viewed  the  hand  of  God  in  taking  away  your  father. 
I  had,  for  a  long  time,  perceived  that  our  hearts  were 
firmly  united ;  I  have  now  one  tie  less  to  bind  me  to 
earth.  I  have  often,  when  passing  by  your  father's 
grave,  said, '  There  lies  the  chiefest  thing  that  made  life 
dear  to  me.'  I  am  now  about  to  have  you  separate 
from  me,  and  it  is  with  cheerfulness  I  give  you  up. 
If  you  can  be  the  means  of  bringing  but  one  poor 
heathen  to  the  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ,  it  will 
more  than  amply  recompense  me  for  all  the  trials  I 
have  passed  through.  Your  father  and  mother  have 
trod  a  most  thorny  road  for  near  twenty  years,  but 
the  kind  hand  of  our  heavenly  Friend  led  us  through 
these  briars  and  thorns.  He  has  seen  fit  to  take  my 
partner  first,  because  he  was  most  fit  to  go.  I  have 
got  to  travel  the  road  a  little  longer,  and  then,  if  I 
am  one  of  the  chosen  of  God,  I  shall  meet  all  the 
happy  saints  in  glory.  Sometimes  I  think  that  I 
have  faith  to  believe,  that  the  promise  to  the  widow 
and  the  fatherless  will  be  amply  fulfilled  to  me  and 
mine.  Give  yourself  no  uneasiness,  thinking  you 
have  gone  away  against  my  will,  for  I  cheerfully  per- 
form the  vow  I  made  in  my  youth.  I  give  you  not 
up  to  man,  but  to  God ;  and  as  the  Lord  guards  his 
children,  so  will  he  guard  you  safe,  if  you  go  on  to 
fear  him,  until  you  arrive  at  your  journey's  end." 

Extracts  from  the  son's  farewell  to  his  mother: 


68  MEMOIR    OP 

"  O,  my  dear  mother,  my  time  is  short,  which  requires 
that  I  should  express  my  thoughts  in  as  few  terms  as 
possible.  I  am  about  to  leave  you,  I  know  not  for 
how  long  a  period.  Truly  it  is  with  reluctance  I  go, 
but  I  have  endeavored  to  ascertain  my  duty ;  whether 
I  am  deceived  or  not,  I  cannot  tell.  It  is  a  great 
sacrifice  for  you  to  yield  up  a  child  as  you  have  me, 
and  consequently  great  are  the  obligations  which  I 
am  bound  to  fulfil.  O,  my  dear  and  affectionate 
mother,  I  am  indebted  to  you  for  your  kindness,  and 
am  unable  to  repay  you  except  by  performing  my 
duties  as  faithfully  as  I  can.  I  am  sure  you  will  not 
remember  against  me  the  sins  of  my  more  inexperi- 
enced years.  Wherein  I  have  wounded  your  feelings, 
I  hope  you  will  forgive  me." 

The  circumstances  of  her  son's  departure  are  some- 
what minutely  described  in  the  following  selections 
from  a  letter  of  his  mother,  written  to  her  father. 
Rev.  Timothy  Alden,  of  Yarmouth,  on  the  day  of 
her  son's  leaving  home :  "  Oliver  has  taken  his  leave 
of  me,  perhaps  forever.  About  two  hours  since  we 
gave  the  parting  hand  and  shed  the  farewell  tear. 
He  has  set  out  on  foot,  and  alone,  for  Meadville. 
Last  evening  we  had  a  prayer-meeting  on  his  ac- 
count, and  1  never  witnessed  a  more  solemn  scene. 
There  was  a  goodly  number  of  young  people,  as 
well  as  older  ones.  Each  male  church-member  pres- 
ent offered  a  prayer.  One  and  another  of  them  also 
addressed  the  assembly.  When  Oliver  gave  them 
his  parting  counsels,  every  heart  seemed  to  melt.  I 
never  witnessed  more  general  weeping  on  any  occa- 
sion w^hatever.  It  being  too  painful  for  him  to  utter 
his  last  words  to  me,  he  left  them  on  paper.     I  now 


REV.    OLIVER   A.    TAYLOR.  69 

cast  my  eyes  on  one  side  of  me  and  there  is  a  gar- 
ment of  my  deceased  husband;  I  take  up  a  little 
book  and  in  it  are  the  parting  words  of  my  now  ab- 
sent son.  Two  of  my  children  have  gone  to  reside 
away  from  home.  One  after  another  they  must  leave 
me  ;  though  crying  around  me,  each  says  :  '  Do,  mo- 
ther, let  me  live  with  you ;  I  will  do  all  I  can  for 
you.'  But  I  am  obhged  to  obey  reason  rather  than 
feeling.  There  are  times,  however,  when  I  cannot 
help  yielding  to  the  latter.  Had  some  kind  angel 
whispered  to  me  a  year  ago,  and  informed  me  what 
scenes  I  must  pass  through  in  the  course  of  twelve 
months,  I  should  have  said  it  would  be  impossible  for 
me  to  endure  them.  But  the  Keeper  of  Israel  hath 
said,  '  As  thy  days  so  shall  thy  strength  be.'  I  have 
given  up  Oliver  to  God.  He  was  the  son  on  whom 
I  might  naturally  rest  myself  for  support.  I  surrender 
him  for  a  more  noble  object,  and  am  confident  that 
the  Lord  will  open  some  other  way  by  which  I  shall 
be  sustained." 

It  should  be  stated  that  the  arrangement  by  which 
Oliver  was  to  furnish  his  father  a  specific  sum  of 
money,  failed  on  the  death  of  that  father.  Still,  by 
going  to  Meadville,  the  son  expected  to  be  able, 
through  the  kindness  of  his  uncle  there,  to  render 
his  mother  pecuniary  assistance,  and  this  he  accom- 
plished. 

Arriving  at  Williamstown,  Oliver  was  pained  by 
the  intelligence  of  the  death  of  his  uncle  Timothy's 
wife.  He  was  anticipating  the  happiness  of  receiv- 
ing at  her  hands  the  kindness  of  a  mother.  She  de- 
parted this  life  the  3d  of  April,  1820,  falling  asleep  in 
her  blessed  Redeemer.     At  W.  he  penned  these  plain- 


70  MEMOIR    OP 

tive  reflections :  "  Death,  wilt  thou  still  sound  in  my 
ears  ?  Wherever  I  am  wilt  thou  pursue  me  ?  My 
God,  are  such  events  for  me  or  against  me  ?  "  To 
his  mother  he  wrote.  May  1,  from  Williamstown : 
"  My  journey  to  this  place  was  pleasant;  but  ah!  a 
report  of  Death's  doings  falls  upon  my  ears  wherever 
I  may  be."  At  W.  he  found  a  home  in  the  very 
kind  family  of  Mr.  David  Alden.  Resuming  his  jour- 
ney he  supplicated  divine  assistance,  that  he  might 
be  given  to  serious  reflection  and  gain  wisdom  in  all 
his  course.  We  find  him  noting  down  observations 
upon  scenery,  soil,  men,  and  manners.  He  made  an- 
other visit  to  his  uncle  Oliver,  at  Athens,  from  which 
place  he  sent  the  following  letter  to  his  uncle  T.  at 
Meadville. 

"Mays,  1820. 

"  Dear  Uncle  :  —  I  left  Hawley  April  29,  and  on 
the  2d  inst.  arrived  here,  being  now  on  my  journey  to 
Meadville.  It  was  truly  hard  parting  with  my  friends. 
I  left  them  all  in  health,  and  my  mother  in  as  good 
spirits  as  I  could  expect.  But  ah !  dear  uncle,  the 
solemn  knell  follows  me  wherever  I  go.  This  letter, 
which  I  intended  to  WTite  to  an  uncle  and  aunt,  must 
be  addressed  only  to  a  dear  uncle.  But  the  subject 
is  too  mournful  for  me  to  dwell  upon. 

"  On  account  of  my  not  being  much  acquainted  with 
the  ways  and  manners  of  the  world,  I,  though  ever  anx- 
ious to  be  under  your  care,  have  felt  a  timidity  in  go- 
ing to  you,  yet  I  even  wish  I  were  nov/  at  your  house. 
Alas,  wishes  are  vain.  I  think  I  could  sympathize, 
especially  with  my  dear  cousins,  in  their  loss.  But 
how  many  steps  must  I  take  before  I  arrive  at  the  des- 
tined place !     As  to  my  journey,  I  have  made  all  the 


KEV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  71 

preparation  that  is  necessary,  so  far  as  relates  to  in- 
formation, recommendation,  etc.  Dear  uncle,  how 
and  where  shall  I  meet  you  ?  If  you  are  likely  not 
to  know  me  when  you  meet  me,  I  will  now  inform 
you  that  you  will  see  before  you  a  tall,  blackish  youth, 
clad  with  poor  clothes,  and  with  a  heavy  pack  of 
poorer  ones  on  his  back,  perhaps  moneyless,  and 
trembling  at  every  step  he  takes  for  fear  of  the  recep- 
tion he  may  meet  with  on  account  of  his  own  imper- 
fections. When  I  arrive  I  shall  expect  you  to  be  a 
second  father  to  me  in  directing  me.  Therefore  ex- 
cuse my  abruptness,  and  be  ready  to  receive  your 
absent  child." 

From  Athens  he  also  addressed  a  letter  to  his  af- 
flicted cousins,  expressing  his  deep  sympathy  with 
theni"  in  the  loss  of  their  mother.  "  Dear  friends, 
though  my  hand  cannot  reach  you,  nor  my  eye  be- 
hold you,  at  present,  yet  my  prayers  shall  ascend  in 
your  behalf,  and  ere  long  I  hope  to  meet  you."  Hav- 
ing spent  a  short  time  at  Athens,  he  pursued  his 
journey.     On  the  second  day  he  wrote  back  thus  :  — 

"  Dear  Uncle  :  —  It  is  hardly  sundown.  I  have 
taken  up  my  lodgings  at  the  meeting  of  the  turnpikes 
from  Athens  and  Albany,  at  Mr.  B.'s.  I  feel  very 
much  fatigued,  and  my  feet  are  quite  sore.  If  I  find 
Mr.  S.,  I  think  I  shall  stay  a  day  or  two  and  rest.  I 
was  somewhat  ill  yesterday  after  I  left  you ;  yet  got 
along  pretty  well.  I  tarried  in  R.  last  night,  so 'that 
I  have  come  between  thirty  and  forty  miles  to-day. 
I  feel  lonesome,  far  away  from  all  my  friends,  but 


72  MEMOIR    OF 

hope  to  prosper.     Thus  far,  since  leaving  you,  I  have 
spent  only  twelve  and  a  half  cents." 

For  particulars  concerning  the  remainder  of  the 
journey  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  ensuing  letters : — 

"Mcadville,  Pa.,  May  23,  1820. 

«  Dear  Uncle  :  —  On  the  8th  of  May  I  left  Athens 
for  Meadville.  During  that  day  little  else  presented 
itself  to  my  view  than  a  very  rough  country,  full  of 
rocks  and  stones,  with  here  and  there  a  miserable 
looking  house,  the  oven  being  built  out  of  doors ;  one 
even  appeared  to  be  made  of  clam  shells.  The  region 
through  which  I  passed  wore  to  me  but  a  poor  ap- 
pearance, till  I  came  to  Cherry  Valiey,  which  in  a 
measure  made  amends  for  the  past.  I  intended  to 
have  made  Sangersfield  on  the  10th,  but  feeling  quite 
•weary,  when  within  fifteen  miles  of  that  place,  I  re- 
quested a  stranger,  whose  conveyance,  by  chance,  was 
not  loaded,  to  carry  me.  He  said  he  would  three  and 
a  half  miles  for  a  treat*  I  accepted  the  offer,  and  he 
stopped  at  Mr.  F.  M.'s  tavern  for  his  pay.  When  in 
the  hearing  of  the  landlady  a  word  was  dropped 
about  Massachusetts,  she  started  inquiries,  which  di- 
vulged the  fact  that  she  was  sister  of  Esquire  White's 
wife,  of  Ashfield,  with  whom  I  had  boarded  last  win- 
ter. She  was  glad  to  see  me,  and  I  was  agreeably 
entertained  for  an  hour. 

"  The  rainy  weather  was  very  unfavorable  to  my 
progress.  My  limbs  and  feet  frequently  pained  me 
so  that  I  could  not   sleep   till   midnight.     I  found 

*  In  1820,  to  do  this  was  not  considered  a  sin  or  impropriety. 


REV.    OLIVER   A.    TAYLOR.  73 

some  very  large  trees.  The  land,  generally  speaking, 
is  good,  but  nowhere  did  I  find  the  garden  of  Eden. 
In  some  places  the  only  means  I  had  of  distinguish- 
ing the  cultivated  from  the  uncultivated  soil,  was  the 
deadness  of  the  trees.  I  arrived  yesterday  about 
mid-day,  and  was  kindly  received  by  my  mourning 
friends.  At  present  I  like  the  appearance  of  the 
country  here  very  much.  During  my  journey  I  had 
opportunity  to  ride  only  about  six  miles.  There  is 
little  or  no  travelling  in  private  conveyances  in  any 
part  of  the  country,  so  that  I  found  but  very  few, 
and  most  of  these  were  going  the  other  way.  On 
counting  my  money,  I  find  that  I  have  spent  about 
five  dollars  and  sixty  cents,  on  the  road.  I  was  not 
expected  here  so  soon  by  several  days.  Already  I 
feel  somewhat  rested,  and  calculate  to  make  early 
arrangements  to  commence  study.  My  journey  is 
ended ;  the  Lord  has  been  merciful  to  me.  I  feel  in- 
debted to  my  various  friends  for  their  kindness  to  me. 
Will  you  do  me  the  favor  to  write  to  my  mother  on 
the  reception  of  this.  I  can  write  only  one  letter 
this  week." 

"  Meadville,  May  30,  1820. 
"Dear  Mother:  —  Doubtless  you  have  heard  of 
my  arrival  at  this  place  on  Monday  of  last  week,  as 
on  the  following  day  I  wrote  to  my  uncle  Oliver,  and 
requested  him  to  write  you.  One  week  from  the 
Monday  after  I  left  you,  I  started  from  Athens  with 
as  much  provision  as  I  could  carry.  One  day  I  spent 
in  Sangersfield,  with  our  good  friends,  who  were  all 
in  health.  Friday,  I  went  eight  miles  out  of  my  way 
to  find  some  cousins,  but  could  only  hear  of  them. 
One  Sabbath  in  travelling,  it  was  my  lot  to  fall  in 
7 


74  MEMOIR    OF 

with  some  very  wicked,  profane  persons.  Indeed  it 
was  difficult  to  find  any  other  company,  though  some- 
times I  had  such  good  fortune.  And  now,  dear  mo- 
ther, here  I  am  at  a  great  distance  from  you;  yet 
when  I  look  back  it  appears  reduced  to  nothing.  I 
am  not  at  all  homesick ;  but  as  I  think  of  you,  with 
my  brothers  and  sisters,  I  feel  melancholy.  Here, 
wherever  I  turn  my  eyes,  every  thing  seems  in  mourn- 
ing —  tears  are  stealing  down  all  faces.  O,  my  dear 
mother,  I  must  commend  you  to  God,  and  leave  you 
in  the  arms  of  his  love,  requesting  you  to  do  the  same 
for  me.  I  hope  you  will  indulge  no  over-anxious 
thoughts  about  me ;  I  think  that  I  shall  be  provided 
for,  and  trust  that  you  will  be  also.  You  must  write 
me  a  long  letter  immediately  on  the  receipt  of  this, 
telling  me  all  your  plans.  Remember  me  to  inquir- 
ing friends,  and  tell  them  that  I  have  commenced  my 
studies.  Say  to  the  youth  for  me  that  they  must 
remember  that  they  are  born  to  die." 

It  would  seem  from  a  statement  in  the  last  letter, 
that  on  one  Sabbath  he  pursued  to  some  extent  his 
journey.  We  wonder  not  at  the  character  of  the 
company  with  which  he  met.  It  is  due,  however,  to 
him  to  state  that  it  was  deemed  by  many,  where  he 
was  nurtured,  not  wrong  for  those  on  a  journey  to 
pursue  it  a  part  of  the  Sabbath.  But  we  are  sure 
that  such  were  wrong  both  in  principle  and  policy. 

From  his  journal.  "  May  28.  —  The  Sabbath  is  by 
no  means  so  well  observed  here  as  it  is  in  Massachu- 
setts. May  I  devote  six  days  as  I  ought  to  the  du- 
ties of  the  world,  and  consecrate  more  especially  the 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  75 

seventh  to  religion.  My  mother  occupies  many  of 
my  thoughts ;  perhaps  she  is  now  praying  for  me.  30. 
—  Overwhelmed  with  considerations  of  the  past,  I 
walked  this  day  alone  to  the  grave  of  my  aunt. 

"  June  3.  —  I  miss  the  society  of  those  Christian 
companions  with  whom  I  associated  in  New  Eng- 
land. To-day  I  attended  the  funeral  of  a  little  child. 
Dear  mother,  I  have  thought  of  you,  and  endeavored 
to  commend  you  to  God.  This  is  all  that  I  can  do. 
I  hope  you  have  never  repented  of  having  permitted 
your  son  to  leave  you.  8.  —  I  find  that  my  tongue  is 
an  unruly  member."  Alluding  to  affecting  deaths  in 
Meadville,  and  thinking  of  his  own  great  insensibility, 
he  says :  "  Surely  such  an  unmoved  sinner  as  I  am  is 
more  fit  for  the  society  of  devils  than  of  human  be- 
ings." 11.  —  Referring  to  his  deceased  aunt,  he  ob- 
serves :  "  Doubtless  she  would  have  promoted  my 
welfare ;  but  oh,  she  is  gone,  gone,  —  forever  gone  ! 
Thou  hadst  heard  of  the  exit  of  my  uncle  and  of  my 
father,  before  thine  own  departure.  Hast  thou  met 
them  in  the  realms  of  bliss?  Could  I  have  only 
witnessed  thy  dying  scene !  But  no !  Much  do  the 
deaths  of  my  several  friends  occupy  my  thoughts.  I 
shall  never  forget  the  night  when  the  summons  came 
for  me  to  go  and  meet  my  mother,  brothers,  and  sis- 
ters in  tears.  It  will  perhaps  be  only  a  little  while 
before  I  shall  hear  of  the  departure  of  other  kindred, 
or  news  of  my  death  will  be  borne  to  them." 

June  22  he  wrote  to  the  Secretary  of  the  American 
Education  Society.  A  sentence  or  two  is  extracted 
from  his  letter :  — 

"  Dear  Sir:  —  I  received  your  letter  of  the  15th  of 


76  ^  MEMOIR    OF 

April,  directed  to  Judge  P.,  of  Ashfield,  on  the  27th 
of  the  same  month,  for  which,  and  the  appropriated 
sum  of  fifteen  dollars,  I  give  my  thanks  to  the  Soci- 
ety ;  and  I  hope  my  conduct  will  ever  be  such  as  to 
secure  their  kind  regards." 

Journal.  July  1.  —  "  To-morrow  I  expect  to  sit  at 
the  table  spread  to  commemorate  the  death  of  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord,  but  fear  I  shall  crucify  him  afresh. 
May  divine  mercy  meet  my  case,  for  otherwise  I  am 
helpless.  2, —  I  have  just  returned  from  the  Lord's 
supper.  How  happy  is  it  that  the  toiling,  weary,  and 
tempted  Christian  may  drown  for  awhile  his  sorrows 
in  the  scenes  commemorative  of  a  Saviour's  love. 
Alas  for  me,  I  enjoy  not  his  smiles !  When  I  behold 
him  hanging  on  the  cursed  tree,  his  countenance  ap- 
pears like  that  of  an  angry  God.  At  his  table,  he 
seems  to  address  me  in  the  language  of  rebuke: 
*  Friend,  how  earnest  thou  in  hither,  not  having  a 
wedding  garment  ? '  and  with  a  piercing  look  he  bids 
me  depart.  5.  —  To-day  was  laid  with  much  cere- 
mony the  corner-stone  of  Bentley  Hall.*  10.  —  I  have 
been  very  agreeably  entertained  for  two  days  past  by 
friends  from  Massachusetts.  The  fact  that  they  came 
from  New  England,  is  alone  sufficient  to  endear  them 
to  me.  12. — Received  to-day  a  letter  from  my  mother, 
and  have  the  satisfaction  to  hear  of  her  health,  though 
her  worldly  prospects  are  such  as  to  occasion  me  pain. 

*  The  name  given  to  the  college  edifice,  in  honor  of  Rev.  William 
Bentley,  D.D.,  who  left  a  large  legacy  of  books  to  the  college  at 
Meadville.  A  piece  of  Plymouth  Rock  was  deposited  under  the  cor- 
ner-stone. Hitherto  there  had  been  no  suitable  accommodations  for 
students. 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  77 

God  of  mercy,  be  thou  her  portion  —  her  consolation 
amid  the  darkest  forebodings.  The  Lord  is  just  and 
kind,  but  my  heart  bleeds  anew  when  I  remember  my 
mother.  25.  —  An  uncommonly  large  meteor  was 
visible  this  evening  for  a  number  of  seconds ;  soon 
after  it  disappeared  we  heard  a  loud  explosion. 

"  Aug.  7.  —  This  morning,  as  usual,  I  arose  be- 
tween the  hours  of  four  and  five  to  apply  myself  with 
renewed  vigor  to  my  studies.  I  learn  from  public 
papers  that  the  late  meteor  was  seen  in  different 
places,  and  is  supposed  to  have  been  about  sixty 
miles  from  here.  10.  —  Have  recently  conversed  with 
a  fellow  student  on  sacred  subjects.  This  evening 
we  walked  together.  He  evidently  has  reflected 
seriously  since  our  last  interview.  I  ought  to  be  en^ 
couraged  to  persevere  in  well-doing,  leaving  the  result 
with  God.  23.  —  My  uncle  takes  his  departure  this 
day  on  a  missionary  tour  among  the  Indians.  His 
son  W.  accompanies  him.  It  is  his  purpose  to  be 
absent  six  weeks.  I  love  him  almost  as  my  own  fa- 
ther, and  shall  feel  sorrowful  in  his  absence.  What 
I  should  do  were  he  to  return  no  more,  I  know  not, 
yet  such  an  event  may  take  place,  and  I  leave  him 
and  my  mother  in  the  hands  of  a  heavenly  parent. 
24.  —  Commenced  the  Greek  grammar,  though  with- 
out any  instructor.  While  my  uncle  is  absent  I  am 
called  upon  to  officiate  at  the  family  altar,  yet  for  this 
my  heart  is  but  little  prepared.  Evening :  Just  about 
committing  myself  to  sleep  for  the  night,  I  would  of- 
fer up  a  prayer  for  thee,  my  mother.  Wrote  a  letter 
yesterday  in  Latin  to  my  uncle  at  Buffalo. 

"  Sept.  16.  —  My  heart  is  as  black  as  the  ink  with 
7* 


78  MEMOIR    OF 

which  I  \\Tite.  I  see  the  point  at  which  I  should 
aim,  yet  as  clearly  that  towards  which  my  course 
tends  ;  wide  apart  are  the  two.  Bless,  Lord,  the  mo- 
ther, whose  anxious  heart  may  now  be  burdened  for 
me,  and  fill  her  with  thy  love.  17.  —  1  almost  believe 
that  every  thing  depends  on  application.  As  far  as 
I  can  see,  most  great  men  have  made  themselves  such. 
There  is,  indeed,  something  indicative  of  greatness  in 
aspiring  after  it."  At  this  time  he  was  engaged  in  a 
weekly  juvenile  prayer-meeting.  "  How  unlike  I  am 
to  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  yet  I  dare  to  speak  in 
Christ's  name.  Should  I  fly  anywhere  else  than  to 
thee,  thou  who  hast  been  the  God  of  my  life  ?  but  alas, 
ait  the  very  throne  of  grace  I  find  my  heart  hard.  26. 
—  Had  a  very  narrow  escape  with  my  life.  I  was 
riding  a  young  fractious  colt,  when  a  little  dog  ran 
out  and  barked.  At  first  I  tried  to  hold  the  creature, 
but  this  was  impossible.  The  saddle  was  so  loosely 
girded  that  I  could  not  spring  off".  My  last  resort  was 
an  endeavor  to  remain  in  my  seat.  This  I  accom- 
plished till  the  animal  coming  to  a  descent  took  a 
sudden  turn  to  the  up-hill  side  of  the  road.  The  sad- 
dle immediately  tiu-ned,  and  I  was  thrown  off  the 
lower  side  upon  a  soft  sandy  place,  but  holding  the 
bridle  I  was  dragged  along  somewhat,  till  the  horse 
escaped  and  ran  about  two  miles.  Not  much  injury 
was  done.  Doubtless  I  should  have  been  killed  if  my 
foot  had  hung  in  the  stirrup. 

"  Oct.  4.  —  My  uncle  has  just  returned,  somewhat 
enfeebled,  but  in  tolerably  good  spirits.  Should  he 
die  I  know  not  what  would  become  of  me.  8.  — 
Last  evening,  to  indulge  my  sadness,  I  wandered 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  79 

alone  in  the  field.  I  have  attended  meeting  to-day, 
and  felt  that  I  could  pour  out  my  soul  in  prayer  into 
the  bosom  of  God. 

"  Nov.  19.  —  Have  heard  read  this  evening  a  few 
pages  of  Bunyan's  Holy  War,  and  see  myself  fight- 
ing in  the  wrong  party. 

"  Dec.  5.  —  One  year  has  passed  away  since  I  saw 
for  the  last  time  my  father's  face.  No  more  shall  I 
behold  him,  till  the  trump  awakes  the  dead.  22.  — 
Two  hundred  years  have  rolled  away  since  the  land- 
ing of  our  forefathers  on  Plymouth  Rock.  Through 
my  uncle's  instrumentality  the  day  has  been  celebrat- 
ed. At  his  request,  I  wrote  an  ode  for  the  occasion, 
which  was  printed,  and  sung  this  evening."  The  ode 
to  which  he  refers  is  here  inserted,  preceded  with 
explanations  that  we  find  prefixed  to  it. 

"  The  following  ode,  originally  published  in  the 
Crawford  Messenger,  Meadville,  was  prepared  for  the 
celebrating,  in  that  place,  of  the  second  centenary  of 
the  landing  of  the  Pilgrims,  of  Leyden,  at  Plymouth. 
It  not  only  serves  to  perpetuate  my  uncle's  kindness 
to  me,  in  taking  me  to  the  bosom  of  his  family,  and 
doing  what  he  could,  to  help  me  along  in  obtaining 
an  education,  but  brings  to  mind  the  love  and  ardor 
with  which  he  always  cherished  the  memory  of  our 
pilgrim  fathers,  as  well  as  the  interest  with  which  the 
occasion  was  celebrated  in  that  wilderness,  by  a  large 
number  of  New  England's  descendants.  The  h^^mn 
as  originally  composed,  though  good  in  sentiment, 
was  worthless  in  form.  The  kindness  of  that  dear 
friend,  however,  covered  over  its  defects,  and  the  peo- 
ple who  heard  it  sung,  with  equal  generosity,  pro- 


80  MEMOIR    OF 

nounced  it  very  appropriate  for  the  occasion,  and 
cheered  me  with  some  very  complimentary  remarks. 

PILGRIMS   OF  LEYDEN. 

"  With  joy  to  celebrate  the  day, 
When  our  forefathers'  grateful  lay, 

From  Plymouth  Rock  first  rose, 
In  songs  of  praise,  let  all  aspire. 
And  glowing  with  celestial  fire, 

God's  altar  round  enclose. 

**  To-day,  two  hundred  years  ago, 
Fresh  from  the  Mayflower  moored  below,  — 

Well  furled  her  tattered  sails,  — 
They  bent  around  in  holy  form, 
The  ocean  roiling  and  the  storm 

Still  heaved  in  sadd'ning  wails. 

"  Pilgrims  of  Leyden,  hallowed  band. 
Far  from  their  homes  and  native  land. 

All  stained  with  martyr's  gore. 
They  sought  a  vine  and  tree  to  find. 
Where  peace  might  dwell,  and  they  reclined 

Securely,  God  adore. 

"  Thanks  to  old  Holland's  generous  aid. 
For  peace  and  quiet,  walk  and  shade. 

Perfumed  of  heavenly  flowers ; 
Beyond  the  reach  of  pope  or  king, 
Or  other  such  infernal  thing, 

They  sought  to  plant  their  bowers. 

"  Behold  them  on  the  crested  wave. 
Delft-haven  leaving,  sad  but  brave. 

The  unknown  seas  to  dare  ; 
Kind  hearts,  the  Christian  and  the  true, 
Along  the  shore  have  waved  adieu, 
And  now  stand  weeping  there. 

"  On,  on  they  plough  across  the  main, 
Back  beaten  oft,  they  try  again, 
While  round  the  tempest  roars  ; 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  81 

Now  hanging  on  the  billowy  brow, 
Now  sinking  in  the  gulf  below, 
While  each  his  God  implores. 

"  In  vain  death  stares  in  horrid  forms. 
And  hell  excites  infernal  storms, 
To  merge  them  in  the  waves  ; 
Their  Lord  is  with  them  on  the  deep. 
His  church  is  sailing  in  the  ship,  — 
His  mighty  presence  saves  ! 

"  Though  tempests  howl  and  dangers  thrill. 
His  voice  they  hear,  so  calm  and  still, 

'Tis  /,  he  not  afraid,  — 
Till  straight  along  the  sandy  shore. 
They  hear  the  billows  break  and  roar. 

Beneath  the  bow  displayed. 

"And  now  — bless'd  hope,  and  pledges  sure, 
To  those  who  faithfully  endure  !  — 

Behold  the  hallowed  band ! 
With  lulling  gale  and  joyful  song. 
They  coast  the  broken  shore  along. 

And  reach  the  promised  land ! 

"  O,  day  of  darkness,  doubt,  and  fears. 
When  round  that  rock  the  scalding  tears. 

First  fell  in  grateful  prayer ; 
The  Indian,  famine,  winter's  cold. 
Disease  and  other  woes  untold  ; 

Yet  God  they  felt  was  there  ! 

"And  he  was  there,  old  Israel's  Sire, 
The  shining  cloud,  the  train  of  fire. 

The  manna  and  the  rod  ; 
To-day,  from  tyrants  disenslaved, 
We  live,  because  above  them  waved, 

The  banner  of  their  God ! 

"  Then  come,  ye  sons  and  daughters,  bring 
New  honors  to  this  mighty  King ; 

Our  fathers'  God  adore  ! 
Roll,  roll  his  rapturous  praise  around. 
From  hill  to  vale,  until  the  sound 

Extend  from  shore  to  shore. 


82  MEMOIR    OF 

Journal.  Dec.  31.  — "  As  the  year  comes  to  a 
close,  it  urges  me  to  serious  reflection,  telling  me 
that  perhaps  I  may  never  see  the  conclusion  of  an- 
other. Neither  should  I  at  this  time  forget  my  mo- 
ther, but  lay  her  situation  before  the  Lord.  More- 
over, it  becomes  me  to  reflect  that  study  demands  my 
earnest  attention.  Lord,  help  me  in  all  these  re- 
spects." 

Jan.  11,  1821,  he  wrote  to  his  mother  and  here  fol- 
low the  more  important  thoughts  of  his  letter :  — 

"  Dear  Mother  :  —  Your  letter  of  the  19th  of  De- 
cember, was  received  yesterday.  With  painful  anx- 
iety do  I  await  the  arrival  of  letters  from  you,  and 
tremblingly  hail  their  advent.  The  many  trials  to 
which  you  are  subject  cause  me  grief,  which  is  in- 
creased by  the  fear  that  you  keep  back  a  part  from 
my  knowledge.  Well  may  I  be  anxious  for  so  kind 
and  tender  a  parent.  I  rejoice  that  you  rest  on  the 
Rock  of  Ages,  and  would  that  I  might  rest  there  too. 
But  my  heart  is  harder  than  a  stone,  and  sometimes 
the  temptations  of  Satan  seem  almost  overwhelm- 
ing. It  would  give  me  happiness  could  I  see  you 
only  a  few  moments.  I  am  sensible  that  I  receive 
far  more  mercies  than  I  deserve.  Most  kind  parent, 
be  comforted  in  respect  to  me.  I  am  under  the  care 
of  an  affectionate  uncle,  to  whom  I  am  not  afraid  to 
look,  and  who  I  trust  will  reprove  me  when  I  err. 
You  must  let  me  hear  about  your  situation.  I  am 
pleased  that  sister  Martha  and  brother  Rufus  are  con- 
tented with  their  homes,  and  am  sorry  that  sister 
Mary  is  so  afflicted  with  sickness.  I  am  pleased  that 
your  neighbors  are  kind,  and  hope  they  will  continue 


KEY.   OLIVER   A.   TAYLOR.  83 

to  be  SO,  and  thus  comfort  you.  I  am  expecting  to 
commence  a  school  next  Monday,  about  seven  and  a 
half  miles  from  this  place,  having  engaged  for  one 
quarter.  Nothing  do  I  undertake  without  staining  it 
with  sin.  Sometimes  I  feel  that  I  render  myself  un- 
worthy of  the  kindness  of  my  uncle  and  cousins 
here;  still  they  are  very  attentive  to  me.  May 
heaven  bless  you.  One  year  has  passed  away,  which 
brings  to  my  recollection  the  death  of  my  father.  I 
think  much  about  my  brothers  and  sisters,  and  hope 
to  receive  a  line  or  two  from  each  of  them.  Remem- 
ber me,  if  you  please,  to  Mr.  Grout,  and  all  who  in- 
quire after  my  welfare." 

Among  other  means  of  mental  discipline  the  young 
student  employed  that  of  a  "  Debating  Society."  He 
has  left  in  manuscript  a  number  of  his  own  prepara- 
tions for  the  meetings,  which  evince  much  enthusi- 
asm in  this  mode  of  improvement.  Early  in  his 
course  of  study,  he  learned  or  formed  for  himself  a 
system  of  stenography,  which  he  used  more  or  less 
during  his  subsequent  life.  Whatever  is  written  in 
this  way  remains  sealed.  Occasionally  he  journalized 
in  Greek  or  in  Latin. 

Early  in  January,  1821,  he  delivered,  by  request,  a 
eulogy  on  a  fellow  student  who  had  died  the  first  day 
of  that  year.  This  effort  he  closed  with  an  appro- 
priate poem,  a  part  of  which  was  subsequently  pub- 
lislied  in  a  newspaper  of  that  region. 

From  his  account  of  his  school  teaching.  "  After 
various  exertions  I  obtained  a  school  in  Wayne, 
about  eight  miles  from  Meadville,  and  commenced 


84  MEMOIR    OF 

it  near  the  middle  of  January.  Many  of  the  scholars 
were  Germans,  and  could,  at  best,  speak  only  a  little 
English.  I  boarded  among  my  patrons.  In  Febru- 
ary, I  succeeded  in  securing  a  singing-school."  His 
scholars  in  this  latter  school,  he  says,  thought  that 
they  might  conduct  as  they  should  please,  and  ac- 
cordingly gave  him  considerable  trouble  when  he  at- 
tempted to  restrain  them. 

The  following  thoughts  we  select  from  many  a 
page  written  while  he  was  in  Wayne :  "  Jesus  wept, 
but  was  never  known  to  smile  while  here  on  earth. 
His  greatest  joy  was  on  the  bloody  cross,  and  there, 
too,  was  his  most  poignant  grief;  and  when  he  bowed 
his  head  in  death,  all  nature  seemed  to  say,  what  new 
thing  is  this,  and  with  her  mantle  veiled  his  head. 
O,  my  God,  my  soul  is  cast  down  within  me.  Time, 
how  art  thou  wasted,  and  Eternity,  how  art  thou 
trifled  with !  Senseless  mortals  spend  vainly  their 
hours,  and  trust  their  eternal  all  to  the  season  of  pain, 
disease,  and  death. —  How  majestic  are  thy  works,  O 
God !  When  I  survey  them,  I  seem  to  dwindle  my- 
self into  nothing.  Eternity  itself  can  never  fully 
reveal  thee.  Worlds  are  hung  upon  worlds.  Why, 
then  —  if  these  are  the  conceptions  which  I  have  of 
thee  —  why,  then,  is  my  heart  so  loath  to  adore 
thee?" 

Journal.  Feb.  28.  —  "A  few  hours  more  of  dreary 
winter,  then  comes  pleasing  spring.  So  time  flies 
without  a  moment's  stay,  and  sweeps  along  every 
one  on  its  current.  Prepare  me,  O  God,  to  awake  in 
the  morning  with  the  light  of  a  new  season  about 


KEV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  85 

me.  May  thy  love  spring  up  afresh  in  my  soul,  and 
my  tongue,  loosed  from  the  cords  of  sin,  utter  celes- 
tial strains. 

"  March  5.  —  Jesus,  grant  me  the  beamings  of  thy 
face,  then  can  I  disregard  the  ills  of  earth.  If  I  am 
clothed  with  thy  righteousness,  though  in  the  eyes  of 
men  poorly  clad,  I  shall  go  on  till  I  take  an  honorable 
degree  in  heaven.  8. —  I  wish  that  the  thunders  of 
Mount  Sinai  might  awaken  me.  Any  other  state  is 
preferable  to  a  stupid  one.  Lord,  it  is  easy  for  thee 
to  humble  me  by  a  word.  But  without  thine  inter- 
position my  heart  refuses  to  surrender  its  idols.  Un- 
lock its  rusty  gates  and  come  in,  thou  mighty  King. 
21.  —  No  eye  but  thine,  O  God,  sees  me.  Thy  bless- 
ing I  implore.  I  have  no  worthiness  of  my  own  by 
which  to  merit  it  of  thee,  but  I  have  understood  from 
thy  holy  word  that  thou  hast  one  to  bestow  on  sin- 
ners who  seek  it  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ.  I  am 
a  sinner ;  I  ask  it  of  thee  for  the  sake  of  thy  Son. 
Turn  my  hard  heart ;  deliver  me  from  the  power  of 
evil  spirits  that  surround  me  and  thirst  for  my  blood  ; 
save  me  from  the  pit  of  everlasting  destruction. 
Cause  me  to  hear  thee  if  it  require  a  voice  of  thun- 
der. Break  thoroughly  my  heart,  and  let  its  frag- 
ments be  cemented  with  the  love  of  Jesus.  26.  — 
O,  my  dear  mother,  where  is  thy  soothing  voice? 
Where  are  those  lips  that  used  so  often  to  speak  for 
my  consolation  ?  Have  I  been  so  indifferent  to  thy 
kindness  as  to  influence  thee  to  forget  thy  child? 
27.  —  When  I  take  a  retrospect  of  my  life  I  seem  to 
view  all  things  as  ordered  for  the  best." 

At  Wayne  he  united  with  others  in  sustaining  a 
8 


86  MEMOIR    OF 

debating  society.  His  sentiments  on  various  topics 
were  in  many  instances  committed  to  writing.  In 
closing  an  exhibition  of  his  views  respecting  the  last 
war  between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain, 
he  adds :  "  I  detest  war,  with  all  its  causes  and  ef- 
fects. I  cannot  believe  that  man  should  be  murdered 
by  his  fellow  being  for  the  sake  of  human  gratifica- 
tion. The  practice  of  war  for  such  a  cause  is  alone 
sufficient  to  stamp  forever  our  race  as  brutes." 

April  30,  1821,  he  again  wrote  to  his  mother:  — 

"Dear  Mother: — Your  letter  of  March  8  has 
been  received.  Day  before  yesterday  uncle  T.  started 
for  Philadelphia,  to  be  absent  six  weeks.  It  is  lone- 
some with  us.  He  seems  to  me  as  a  father.  I  think 
I  feel  his  absence  as  much  as  his  own  children  do. 
During  the  three  months  past  I  have  taught  both  a 
day  and   singing   school.      Perhaps  you  remember 

that  when  I  was  learning  to  sing,  Mr. laughed 

at  my  singing.  I  told  him  that '  he  might  yet  hear 
of  my  teaching  a  singing  school.'  He  replied  'he 
never  should.'  You  may  now  have  the  pleasure  of 
telling  him  that  I  have  taught  for  three  months  a 
day  school  and  singing  school  at  the  same  time.  My 
schools  closed  under  as  favorable  circumstances  as  I 
could  have  expected.  What  is  the  reason,  O  my 
dear  mother,  that  my  sleep  is  rendered  unpleasant  by 
dreams  of  your  griefs.  Sometime  since  I  dreamed 
that  I  was  a  little  this  side  of  your  house,  and  you 
were  standing  near  me,  and  your  appearance  so 
struck  me  that  I  cried  out,  '  O  my  dear  mother,  what 
is  the  matter  ? '  Then  I  turned  my  head  away  and 
wept.     The  labor  of  the  past  winter  has  been  the 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  87 

most  severe  that  I  ever  endured.  In  going  home 
Saturday  nights  and  returning  Monday  mornings, 
together  with  my  walking  to  board  about  with  the 
families,  I  have  travelled  upwards  of  three  hundred 
and  fifty  miles.  —  Why  do  not  my  sisters  write  me  ? 
Tell  them  that  they  and  my  brothers  are  remembered 
by  me,  and  I  hope  they  will  not  forget  me  nor  their 
God.  You  must  throw  the  mantle  of  candor  over  all 
my  faults.  One  thing  more :  when  I  am  distressed 
and  perplexed  I  am  comforted  with  the  thought  that 
I  have  been  consecrated  to  God.  It  gives  me  hap- 
piness, and  holds  me  back  from  sin." 

On  resuming  his  studies  he  offers  a  prayer  that 
he  may  be  influenced  by  a  desire  for  God's  glory. 
"  May  20.  —  Saviour,  hast  thou  forever  left  me  to  be 
enslaved  to  my  own  selfish  passions?  Numerous 
have  been  thy  mercies  to  me  in  years  past,  so  let 
them  be  hereafter.  May  thy  Spirit  wholly  possess 
my  soul.  I  desire  always  to  live  as  my  father's 
dying  injunction  to  me  requires  — '  Godly  in  Christ 
Jesus.' " 

July  21,  of  this  year,  he  penned  on  a  blank  page 
of  an  old  letter  from  his  mother,  these  affecting  sen- 
tences:—  "  O  my  dear  mother,  what  emotions  arise 
when  I  review  your  letters.  I  am  now  waiting  for 
one  from  you.  I  hope  for  it  soon.  Oh,  if  God  has 
called  you  away  from  this  world,  what  shall  I  have 
to  live  for  ?  Where  shall  I  rest  ?  I  have  no  God 
on  whom  to  rest  my  head.  My  God  is  flown  and  I 
say  in  my  heart,  Oliver  is  an  apostate !  I  know  not 
what  to  do.  I  am  all  sin  and  guilt.  O  God,  have 
mercy  upon  me.  What  shall  I  do  ?  Where  shall 
I  go?" 


88  MEMOIR    OF 

"  Aug.  10.  —  I  know  that  my  earthly  sojourn  must 
at  length  end  in  eternity,  and  much  have  I  hoped,  as 
well  as  prayed,  that  the  iniquity  of  my  heart  might 
be  removed  from  me.  I  have  also  made  the  most 
solemn  promises  to  break  away  from  all  my  sins,  yet 
here  I  am,  soon  to  meet  my  twentieth  birthday, 
with  the  viper  clinging  to  me.  Should  it  not  now 
be  shaken  off,  it  may  eternally  adhere  to  me.  Most 
seriously  do  I  resolve  to  begin  anew  my  life.  Yet, 
O  my  God,  I  am  weak.  Be  thou  unto  me  like 
Israel's  pillar  of  cloud  by  day  and  pillar  of  fire  by 
night.  18.  —  To-day  I  am  twenty  years  of  age,  and 
have  been  admitted  a  student  of  Alleghany  College, 
and  to  the  Almighty  I  direct  my  prayer  for  assistance 
in  discharging  the  implied  duties." 

Probably  it  was  near  the  close  of  August  that  he 
thus  expresses  himself  in  a  letter  to  his  mother!  — 

"  Never  shall  I  forget  you  till  the  cold  sods  cover 
my  lifeless  clay.  On  the  day  when  I  was  twenty 
years  of  age,  I  became  a  member  of  the  college  in 
this  place.  I  would  endeavor  to  rest  on  my  God, 
for  then  shall  I  be  safe.  I  have  but  little  religious 
exercise  of  mind.  My  feelings,  for  the  most  part, 
are  very  low.  I  often  think  of  those  friends  in 
Hawley,  with  whom  I  used  to  converse  on  sacred 
subjects,  and  feel  somewhat  guilty  for  not  having 
written  to  several  persons  there,  especially  to  Mr. 
Grout.  I  have  sent  you  a  newspaper  containing  the 
first  poem  I  composed  in  this  part  of  the  world." 

Journal.  "  August  31.  —  Summer  now  ends,  and 
life  on  earth,  ere  long,  will  have  ceased  forever;  all 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  89 

its  pleasing  scenes  be  gone,  never  to  be  recalled. 
Then,  if  the  soul  possess  no  sure  anchor  in  the  skies, 
she  must  be  everlastingly  tossed  about  on  the  fiery 
billows  of  hell. 

"  Sept.  9.  —  I  formed  a  second  Sabbath  school  in  this 
place,  other  persons  cooperating  with  me  in  its  man- 
agement." He  was  also  actively  engaged  in  help- 
ing sustain  a  young  peoples'  meeting  on  the  evening 
of  the  Lord's  day. 

"Oct.  1.  —  A  goodly  number  are  present  at  our 
meetings.  This  evening  I  for  the  first  time  made  an 
address  to  them.  May  the  Lord  smile  on  our  exer- 
tions. 22.  —  T  recently  received  a  polite  invitation 
from  a  gentleman  of  this  vicinity  to  reside  in  his 
family  as  a  tutor  to  his  children."  Owing  to  the 
interruption  an  acceptance  would  occasion  to  his 
studies  he  declined. 

The  following  extracts  are  from  a  communication 
which  he  prepared  for  a  friend  in  whom  he  felt  a 
deep  interest,  and  yet  whom  he  was  afraid  to  address 
orally.  "  You  have  been  born  in  a  Christian  land 
and  blessed  with  pious  parents,  and  scarcely  a  day  has 
gone  over  your  head  without  your  hearing  something 
relative  to  the  salvation  of  your  soul.  Your  dear 
mother  has  joined  the  congregation  of  the  dead,  and 
you  know  that  according  to  the  course  of  nature  you 
must  eventually  follow  her.  Where  then,  my  dear 
friend,  do  you  wish  to  land  ?  In  heaven,  or  in  hell  ? 
Speak  to  you  I  cannot ;  warn  you  1  must.  Have 
you  been  brought  up  and  nourished  by  devoted 
parents  that  you  may  be  fuel  for  hell  fire  ?  Must 
your  departed  parent  hereafter  behold  you  afar  off"  in 
8* 


90  MEMOIR    OP 

the  torments  of  despair  ?  Hard,  indeed,  must  your 
heart  be,  if  you  are  insensible  to  her  prayers  and 
tears.  Do  you  not  still  remember  her  words  to  you 
in  that  trying  hour  when  her  nature  was  dissolving  in 
death  ;  then  her  spirit  seemed  to  come  back  for  a  little 
moment  on  your  account  ?  I  almost  hear  her  in  the 
agonies  of  death,  yet  on  her  bended  knees,  and  in 
tears,  supplicating  mercy  for  you." 

Journal.  "  October  25.  —  Have  opened  a  singing 
school  in  this  place.  I  procured  it  at  the  suggestion 
of  my  uncle.  People  in  this  region  feel  at  liberty  to 
make  as  much  noise  as  they  please,  both  in  day  and 
singing  schools.  29.  —  A  letter,  just  received  from 
my  mother,  contains  nothing  but  good  news,  for 
which  I  would  be  very  thankful." 

As  the  autumn  of  this  year  was  wearing  away, 
Mr.  Taylor  became  convinced  that  he  should  not 
enjoy  at  Meadville  the  privileges  which  were  essen- 
tial to  his  highest  success  in  obtaining  an  education. 
He  could  not,  at  once,  decide  where  he  should  go ; 
but  desired  to  place  himself  under  the  best  tuition. 
"  It  is  probable  that  I  shall  be  necessitated  to  pass 
over  six  or  seven  hundred  miles,  without  money,  to 
some  other  college.  I  should  prefer  Cambridge  on 
various  accounts,  though  the  expenses  there  will 
probably  shut  me  out." 

Journal.  "  Nov.  25.  —  I  have  this  day  heard  two 
excellent  sermons  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Goodell,  an 
appointed  missionary.  He  is  now  on  a  tour  through 
the  United  States.     It  is  his  purpose  next  year  to 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  91 

embark  for  Jerusalem,  the  city  of  David.  Mr.  G.'s 
text  in  the  forenoon  was  in  Psalms  Ixxxiv.  8.  In  the 
afternoon,  Romans  x.  14.  Both  discourses  were 
affecting.  He  stopped  with  my  uncle,  and  I  of 
course  was  introduced  to  him.  I  told  him  that 
should  I  be  prospered  I  hoped  to  salute  him  hereaf- 
ter in  the  sacred  city,  and  he  replied,  '  I  hope  so.' " 

About  this  time.  Rev.  Mr.  Remington  and  wife 
were  in  Meadville,  on  their  way  as  missionaries  to 
the  Indians.  Mr.  T.  became  much  interested  in 
them,  wrote  for  them  a  parting  hymn,  also  sent  let- 
ters by  them  to  Messrs.  Dyer  and  Howes,  already 
located  among  the  aborigines. 

Letter  to  his  mother,  Dec,  1821.  — 7 "  I  am  now 
engaged  in  teaching  a  singing  school  in  this  place, 
by  which  means  I  shall  be  able,  I  hope,  to  furnish 
myself  with  clothing,  and  to  pay  some  debts.  My 
uncle  T.  leaves  here  next  Monday  for  New  England ; 
he  expects  to  call  upon  you,  but  will  be  able  to  spend 
with  you  only  a  few  hours.  Yet  you  must  keep  him, 
if  possible,  until  my  brothers  and  sisters  can  all  see 
him.  He  has  passed  through  many  trials,  and  so 
have  you.  To  my  brothers  and  sisters  I  would  say, 
remember  your  Creator,  and  prepare  to  meet  him. 
Young  companions,  whom  once  I  used  to  see  en- 
gaged in  religion,  how  is  it  with  you  now  ?  Do  you 
still  walk  uprightly,  honoring  your  God,  or  have  you 
looked  back  after  having  put  your  hands  to  the 
plough  ?  And  you,  whom  I  left  on  the  brink  of  hell, 
hovering  over  eternal  burnings,  where  are  you  now?" 

The  following  was  written  toward  the  close  of 


92  MEMOIROF 

1821,  at  a  time  when  his  feelings  were  desponding. 
"  Amid  sorrows  and  temptations  happy  is  the  man 
\vho  has  Jesus  Christ  as  his  guide  and  protector  by 
day,  and  for  his  pillow  by  night.  O,  my  Saviour, 
could  I  have  such  a  friend  as  thou  art,  not  all  the 
gainsayings  and  reproaches  of  the  world,  or  the 
temptations  of  devils,  should  affect  me.  Whether 
the  resting-place  of  my  head  by  night  were  com- 
posed of  down  or  stone,  in  thee  I  would  rejoice.  I 
feel  distressed.  Come,  therefore,  blessed  Jesus,  and 
give  me  thine  aid.  This  world  is  a  burden  without 
thee.  Come  on  wings  of  love.  I  feel  myself  to  be 
wretched,  and  would  lean  on  thee.  O  come!  O 
haste  I  for  I  know  not  what  to  do.  I  lay  my  hand 
upon  my  heart  and  look  up.  I  cannot  speak.  I 
would  tell  thee,  but  I  have  not  the  power  of  a  child. 
O  take  my  heart  and  keep  it  Non  ullus  mnicus 
immntabilis  nisi  Deus,  ille  semper  amicus  presens,^^ 

Journal.  "  Jan.  5,  1822.  —  Received  a  letter  this 
day  from  my  mother,  informing  me  of  her  health. 
It  brings  the  cheering  intelligence  of  a  revival  in 
Hawley,  also  of  one  in  Ashfield.  The  latter  com- 
menced in  Sanderson's  Academy.  And  why  is  there 
no  still  small  voice  among  us  here  ? 

"  Feb.  3.  —  To-day,  with  others,  I  am  to  sit  at 
Christ's  table.  Permit  me,  a  worm,  O  God,  to  reach 
forth  my  hands  and  take  the  symbols  of  his  death 
who  mercifully  offered  himself  as  our  propitiatory 
sacrifice.  14.  —  Blessed  Saviour,  when  temptations 
threaten,  or  the  world  flatters,  deign  to  be  my  deliv- 
erer. May  Calvary  be  my  beacon  amid  all  the 
storms  of  earth. .  16.  —  I  have  been  paying  debts  to- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  93 

day,  and  there  is  decided  pleasure  in  discharging  pe- 
cuniary obligations.  24.  —  We  have,  very  interesting 
news  from  Mr.  Parsons,  the  missionary.  He  was  at 
Jerusalem  at  the  last  accounts.  As  unholy  as  I  am, 
I  sometimes  wish  myself  ready  to  start  on  a  mission 
thither." 

It  was  probably  in  March  that  with  reference  to 
entering  another  college  he  observes :  "  I  fear  the 
change  which  I  know  I  must  make,  and  desire  the 
Saviour's  aid. 

"  April  4.  —  Soon  I  am  to  part  with  friends  here. 
Have  some  anxieties  about  what  will  prove  to  be 
the  revelation  of  the  future  in  respect  to  my  college 
course.  Am  most  troubled,  however,  about  my  mo- 
ther. Nor  am  I  without  solicitude  in  regard  to  my 
brothers  and  sisters.  O  Jesus,  let  me  be  nailed  to 
thy  cross  rather  than  lose  sight  of  it."  Should  Mr. 
Taylor  leave  Meadville  he  could  not  render  so  much 
aid  to  his  mother  as  he  had  done  through  the  special 
kindness  of  his  uncle. 

Having  by  letters  and  otherwise  gained  informa- 
tion relative  to  several  colleges,  he  decided  to  remove 
to  Union,  Schenectady,  New  York,  as  affording  the 
greatest  pecuniary  inducement.  "  April  21.  —  Bade 
adieu  to  my  Sabbath  schools.  Find  I  have  become 
attached  to  this  place.  It  will  be  painful  for  me  to 
leave  it.  From  friends  I  have  received  many  favors. 
Some  things  indeed  have  gone  wrongly.  My  ad- 
vantages for  study  have  been  small.  What  I  am  to 
do  for  money  I  cannot  tell."  Concerning  his  income 
from  teaching  sacred  music,  he  made  this  record: 
"  I  have  received  for  teaching  singing  about  $120. 
Thus  the  art  that  I  acquired  by  dint  of  effort  in  my 


94  MEMOIR    OF 

native  town,  in  spite  of  ridicule,  has  been  of  much 
pecuniary  benefit  to  me.  I  hope  equally  by  my 
fidelity  to  confound  all  who  have  ever  opposed 
me.  When  I  told  Mr.  D.,  who  lives  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  my  last  school,  of  my  intention  to  go  to 
Schenectady,  he  remarked  that  he  had  but  one  thing 
to  say  — '  The  Lord  go  with  you.'  " 

Rev.  Timothy  Alden  resigned  his  connection  with 
the  college  at  Meadville,  November,  1831,  and  re- 
moved to  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  He  subsequently  became 
Principal  of  the  East  Liberty  Institute,  located  in  a 
pleasant  village  four  miles  from  Pittsburgh.  He 
died  at  the  residence  of  his  son-in-law,  Mr.  John  B. 
McFadden,  July  5,  1839,  in  the  67th  year  of  his  age. 
His  sickness  was  lingering  and  painful,  but  the  close 
of  his  life  was  preeminently  happy. 

Mr.  Taylor  ever  retained  the  highest  respect  for 
that  uncle,  and  was  deeply  affected  by  his  death.  At 
the  time  when  sickness  prostrated  himself  he  was 
engaged  in  preparing  a  brief  memorial  of  that  dear 
friend.  From  it  we  note  a  few  particulars.  "  He 
was  a  very  correct  and  thorough  scholar,  especially 
in  the  languages ;  the  Latin  and  Greek  in  particu- 
lar, also  in  the  French.  My  uncle  was  a  genuine 
Puritan,  or  son  of  the  Pilgrims.  Every  thing  relating 
to  them,  even  almost  to  the  dust  of  their  feet  he 
loved.  He  was  also  a  thorough  going  antiquarian ; 
indeed  the  natural  bent  of  his  mind  was  for  pursuits 
of  this  class,  and  his  contributions  to  the  State  Anti- 
quarian Collections  of  our  country  are  valuable. 
In  all  his  ways  he  was  exceedingly  modest  and  most 
religiously  conscientious.  Dr.  Woods,  of  Andover, 
has  informed  me  that  while  in  college,  Mr.  Alden 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  95 

had  the  reputation  of  being  the  most  pious  of  the 
students.  From  a  child  he  was  an  enthusiastic  lover 
of  books.  And  I  may  say  that  my  zeal  for  them 
was  first  called  into  action  by  hearing  my  mother 
relate  anecdotes  of  him.  Whatever  he  undertook 
he  prosecuted  with  the  utmost  enthusiasm.  He  was 
one  of  the  best  of  friends,  warm-hearted,  generous, 
and  confiding.  Intense  activity  characterized  his 
life.  Idleness  was  no  element  of  his  nature.  In  all 
the  region  about  Meadville  he  was  a  faithful  mis- 
sionary. I  wiU  add  that  in  his  manners  and  habits 
he  was  a  perfect  gentleman.  By  his  urbanity  he 
secured  the  esteem  and  love  of  the  common  people. 


CHAPTER   IV. 

HIS    CONNECTION    WITH    UNION    COLLEGE. 

On  the  30th  of  April,  1822,  Mr.  Taylor  bade  adieu 
to  his  friends  in  Meadville.  It  was  with  very  tender 
emotions  that  he  took  his  departure.  His  pecuniary 
resources  amounted  to  less  than  twenty-one  dollars. 

Journal.  "  May  1.  —  At  Erie.  Arrived  here  last 
evening  soon  after  sundown,  and  am  to-day  so  fa- 
tigued that  I  can  scarcely  move.  I  may  be  under 
the  necessity  of  going  by  stage,  which  will  con- 
sume all  my  funds.  Perhaps  I  shall  remain  here 
till  to-morrow,  and  watch  for  a  vessel  to  Buffalo. 
The  Lord,  I  hope,  will  favor  me.  Merciful  Father, 
wilt  thou  deign  to  give  me  strength.  2.  —  Yester- 
day, after  making  arrangements  to  send  my  trunk, 
and  not  finding  a  passage  for  myself  by  water,  I  re- 
sumed my  journey  on  foot.  I  am  obliged  to  resort  to 
bathing,  for  easing  the  pain  in  my  feet."  May  5,  he 
was  at  Buffalo,  having  met  with  marked  kindness  all 
the  way  from  MeadviDe.  Here  he  was  perplexed 
because  his  trunk  had  not  arrived.  "  But  the  God," 
he  says,  "  against  whom  I  have  sinned  is  my  refuge." 
On  the  6th,  without  waiting  for  his  trunk,  and 
agreeing  with  a  gentleman  to  forward  it  when  it 
might  arrive,  he  pressed  on  in  his  wearisome  way. 


MEMOIR    OF    REV.    0.    A.    TAYLOR.  97 

On  the  7th  he  speaks  of  riding  several  miles,  and  adds, 
"  Keep  me,  O  God,  while  I  journey  here  below.  I  have 
no  abiding  place,  and  no  preserver  but  thee.  8.  —  I  feel 
this  morning  as  if  I  could  freely  express  myself  to  God 
in  prayer,  asking  protection  for  myself  and  mother. 
May  he  grant  me  success,  and  his  shall  be  the  praise 
forever.  9.  —  Passing  through  Canandaigua,  I  turned 
aside  for  a  moment  to  view  the  monuments  of  the 
dead."  May  10th,  he  reached  Auburn,  and  was 
entertained  by  one  of  the  professors,  to  whom  he  had 
a  letter  of  introduction.  On  his  way  to  A.  he  wan- 
dered from  the  proper  road.  Stopping  to  obtain 
directions,  he  found  himself  the  object  of  special 
regard  in  a  family  to  which  he  was  an  entire  stran- 
ger. The  whole  scene  he  thus  describes  twenty-five 
years  afterwards  when  on  a  visit  in  that  region :  — 

"  In  the  course  of  the  afternoon,  while  admiring 
the  lake,  the  woods,  the  grass-lands,  the  flight  of  the 
partridge,  the  nimble  spring  of  the  squirrel,  and  the 
singing  of  the  birds,  absorbed  in  the  deep  reverie  of 
my  own  thoughts — I  had  strayed  out  of  my  proper 
path.  Approaching  the  first  cottage  that  presented 
itself —  a  small,  retired  dwelling  in  a  field,  surrounded 
by  grass  and  rude  fences,  evincing  neatness  in  its 
general  aspect,  but  at  the  same  time  the  want  of  an 
attentive  out-door  head —  I  entered  it  to  ask  for  a  bowl 
of  milk,  and  to  inquire  for  the  way  I  had  lost.  A 
widow  and  her  daughter  of  sixteen  or  eighteen  years 
of  age  were  the  only  occupants.  They  received  me 
with  a  kindness,  a  tender  regard,  for  which  it  was 
impossible  to  account.  They  treated  me  as  if  I  had 
been  the  child  of  some  beloved  relative  or  long-tried 
friend.  Every  want  was  met,  every  question  an- 
9 


98  MEMOIR    OF 

swered ;  and,  at  their  urgent  request,  I  consented  to 
remain  with  them  and  take  tea.  While  preparations 
were  making  for  it,  during  the  repast  and  afterwards, 
the  mother,  taking  her  seat  at  my  side,  gently  plied 
m(^  with  a  variety  of  questions,  and  engaged  me  in 
conversation,  as  if  deeply  interested  in  my  welfare  — 
the  daughter  occasionally  pausing  to  listen. 

" '  Have  you  a  mother  ?  '  she  asked.  '  How  long 
is  it  since  you  have  seen  her  ?  Do  you  write  to  her  ? 
Did  you  leave  her  without  her  consent  ?  Are  you 
going  to  visit  her  again  ?  Has  she  other  children 
besides  you  ? '  Such  were  some  of  her  interrogato- 
ries proposed  in  a  tender,  plaintive,  and  sympathiz- 
ing tone  of  voice. 

"  I  had  nothing  to  conceal  on  any  of  these  points ; 
and  answered  all  her  questions,  making  her  ac- 
quainted with  many  particulars  of  my  history.  '  Ah,' 
she  replied,  '  how  happy  must  your  mother  be  to  hear 
from  her  child  I  And  I,  too,  once  had  a  son,'  added 
she,  after  a  pause,  '  but  he  enlisted  during  the  last 
war,  and  I  have  not  seen  him  since.'  '  And  have 
you  not  heard  from  him,'  I  added,  '  since  he  left 
you  ? '  '  For  some  time,'  she  replied,  '  he  used  to 
WTite  to  me.  The  last  time  I  heard  from  him  was 
just  before  the  battle  of  Bridgewater.'  '  And  did 
your  son,'  I  asked,  '  leave  you  without  your  consent? ' 
'  I  cannot  say,'  she  replied,  '  that  I  was  willing  to 
have  him  enlist.  Ah,'  she  continued,  '  how  little  do 
children  know  of  the  feelings  of  their  parents  !  Let 
your  mother  hear  from  you  constantly.  Hasten 
home  to  see  her  as  soon  as  you  can.' 

"  I  arose  to  take  my  leave.  The  daughter  had 
absented  herself,  having  retired  to  the  door  in  order 


KEY.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  99 

to  conceal  her  feelings,  and  bursting  into  a  flood  of 
tears  as  I  opened  it,  to  leave  them,  she  exclaimed, 
'  O,  you  look  so  much  like  my  brother!  —  you  make 
me  think  so  much  of  my  brother ! ' 

"The  truth  of  the  whole  matter  then  flashed 
across  my  mind.  The  poor  widow's  son,  contrary 
to  her  wishes,  had  enlisted  during  the  last  war.  For 
some  time  he  wrote  her.  At  length  there  was  a 
terrible  battle,  and  there  came  a  long  list  of  killed 
and  wounded.  His  name  was  not  on  it,  and  there- 
fore she  hoped  he  might  be  still  living.  Several 
years  had  now  elapsed  since  that  event ;  and  though 
she  had  as  yet  heard  nothing  of  him,  she  still  in- 
dulged that  hope,  looking  out  constantly  for  her  son ; 
and  when  she  and  her  daughter  saw  me  coming  up 
to  the  house,  a  certain  similarity  of  person  suggested 
the  inquiry  whether  he  had  not  at  length  arrived ;  and 
though  they  found  themselves  mistaken,  they  were 
filled  with  interest  in  my  behalf,  resulting  in  one  of 
the  most  affecting  scenes  I  ever  witnessed.  And 
when,  at  length,  I  broke  away  from  them,  to  com- 
plete the  journey  of  the  day,  it  was  with  a  heart 
almost  bursting  with  grief." 

In  his  journal  kept  at  the  time,  he  says :  "  I  hur- 
ried away  that  I  might  indulge  my  tears,  and  find  a 
place  to  offer  a  prayer  for  this  afflicted  family." 

On  the  afternoon  of  May  16,  he  reached  Schenec- 
tady ;  soon  called  upon  Dr.  Nott,  and  in  a  few  hours 
was  a  regular  member  of  Union  College.  In  his  jour- 
nal, he  says  :  "  What  a  new  era  now  opens  before  me, 
and  how  much  I  need  the  direction  of  Heaven.  While 
praying  for  myself,  I  will  remember  the  condition  of 
my  mother,  brothers,  and  sisters.     All  I  can  do  for 


100  MEMOIR    OF 

them  is  to  bear  them  in  supplications  before  the 
Lord.  17.  —  I  have  been  borrowing  and  buying 
articles  for  fitting  up  my  room.  The  students  are 
kind  to  me;  so  is  the  college  Registrar;  otherwise  I 
know  not  what  I  should  do.  I  feel  melancholy  this 
eve ;  am  alone.  Have  attended  chapel  once.  Kind 
and  indulgent  God,  I  am  a  worthless  creature,  and 
have  grievously  sinned  against  thee.  Look  down 
from  heaven,  and  behold  me  here  alone  in  thine  ^ 
awful  presence.  Forgive  my  sins.  Wilt  thou  also 
compassionate  the  case  of  my  widowed  mother ;  of 
my  brothers  and  sisters.  Has  not  my  path  of  duty 
been  plainly  pointed  out  ?  O  direct  me  in  the  course 
of  study,  upon  which  I  have  now  entered,  and  help 
me  to  act  wholly  for  thy  glory.  Be  thou  my  keeper 
and  instructor.  Grant  these  requests,  for  Jesus' 
sake.  21. —  A.m  fearful  my  trunk  will  never  reach 
me.  It  contains  my  clothes,  books,  and  papers ; 
indeed  all  my  earthly  possessions.  God,  however, 
has  greatly  prospered  me  hitherto,  and  I  will  hope 
for  the  best.  29.  —  I  have  been  engaging  a  gentle- 
man in  town,  who  understands  the  French  language, 
to  hear  me  recite  in  it  occasionally. 

"  June  1.  —  My  trunk  has  at  length  safely  arrived, 
and  I  find  myself  fairly  located  in  Union  College. 
I  have  great  reason  to  return  thanks  to  Almighty 
God  for  succeeding  me  in  my  recent  undertaking. 
How  sudden  the  transition  seems  to  have  been, 
from  Meadville  to  this  place!  Still  must  I  trust 
in  thee,  O  God  of  all  my  mercies.  To  whom  else 
can  I  resort  ?  " 

Soon  after  reaching  Union  College,  he  wrote  to 
his  mother,  giving  the  reasons  for  leaving  Meadville  ; 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  101 

an  account  of  his  journey  to  Schenectady,  and  his 
prospects  there.  In  regard  to  the  approaching  vaca- 
tion, he  says :  "  If  I  can  find  an  opportunity  to  take 
a  school  here  or  anywhere,  or  to  enter  into  some 
other  employment,  so  that  I  may  obtain  money  and 
clothing,  I  shall  do  it.  But  if  not,  how  is  it  with  my 
good  friends  in  Hawley  and  Ashfield?  Are  they 
willing  to  help  me,  or  have  they  forgotten  me  ? 
Shall  I  venture  to  come  and  see  you,  trusting  that 
my  friends  will  assist  me  ?  Please  write  soon  and 
inform  me.  Amid  my  movements  I  have  not  for- 
gotten you,  dear  mother." 

We  are  now  to  contemplate  Mr.  T.  as  having 
fully  commenced  his  collegiate  career.  It  is  proba- 
ble that  he  was  at  this  time  inclined  to  undertake 
the  mastery  of  too  many  branches  of  study. 

Journal.  "  June  7,  1822.  —  I  have  just  received  a 
letter  from  my  mother,  by  the  hand  of  a  Hawley 
friend.  She  informs  me  that  some  of  my  associates, 
whom  I  left  impenitent,  have  of  late  indulged  the 
Christian  hope.  O  glorious  news!  I  rejoice  with 
them.  11.  —  I  have  taken  a  short  walk  this  morn- 
ing, and  have  examined  some  flowers.  There  is  a 
beauty  in  every  natural  object." 

"July  25,  1822. 

"Dear  Mother:  —  I  attempted  to  write  you  a 
letter  recently,  and  filled  the  sheet  so  full  before  I 
was  aware  of  it,  that  I  could  not  do  it  up.  There- 
fore I  am  obliged  to  commence  another.  I  have 
delayed  writing  some  time,  that  I  might  the  better 
inform  you  of  my  situation,  and  tell  you  more  deli- 
9* 


102  MEMOIR    OF 

nitely  what  my  prospects  are.  I  had,  indeed,  thought 
of  postponing  my  letter  until  the  18th  of  the  next 
month,  when  I  shall  be  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and 
then  taking  a  general  review  of  my  past  life.  But  I 
am  afraid  you  will  be  looking  for  me  home,  and  be 
disappointed.  Perhaps  you  will  be  surprised  when 
I  tell  you  I  have  concluded  not  to  visit  you  this 
vacation,  though  I  wish  much  to  see  you.  When 
commencement  day  was  over,  and  I  saw  other  stu- 
dents get  into  the  stage  homeward  bound,  I  must 
acknowledge  I  felt  quite  desolate ;  but  if  we  do  all 
things  for  Jesus'  sake,  every  event  will  work  for  the 
best.  This  thought  frequently  occupies  my  mind 
when  I  feel  depressed.  I  try  to  do  and  suffer  all  for 
Christ,  yet  I  am  often  obliged  to  make  every  exertion 
in  my  power  to  keep  my  spirits  from  sinking.  I 
survey  the  mercies  I  have  received,  and  compare  my 
situation  with  what  it  might  be.  Once  I  was  look- 
ing forward  to  the  age  of  twenty-one,  anticipating 
the  moment,  when,  receiving  the  blessing  of  my 
parents,  I  should  bid  them  adieu,  and  commence  my 
studies.  That  time,  which  then  seemed  an  age  in 
the  distance,  has  almost  arrived,  but  instead  of  being 
about  to  bid  my  father  adieu,  he,  years  since,  took 
an  eternal  leave  of  all  earthly  things.  Whether  you 
live  comfortably  or  not,  is  a  query  which  often  causes 
me  anxious  thought.  I  have  been  favored  in  regard 
to  my  studies.  I  am  now  entering  upon  my  sopho- 
more year.  At  present  I  am  teaching  a  school  in 
this  city ;  a  small  one,  it  is  true,  but  one  which  will 
furnish  me  with  some  means.  Many  dark  clouds 
arise  before  me,  but  the  blackest  of  them  all  is  occa- 
sioned by  my  sins.     I  shall  rather  run  in  debt  than 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  103 

be  absent  from  college  to  teach  school.  The  officers 
of  the  institution  advisp  me  to  this  course.  In  call- 
ing upon  two  of  them  to-day,  and  presenting  my 
circumstances,  one  of  them  remarked  that  any  one 
who  should  determine  to  get  along,  would  succeed ; 
but  if  I  should  find  my  way  hedged  up,  they  would 
consult  together  for  me.  At  first  my  intention  was 
to  board  myself,  and  I  tried  it,  but  I  soon  felt  sick,  and 
found  it  would  not  do ;  and  have  accordingly  made 
other  arrangements.  I  think  much  of  your  debt  of 
$50.  I  fear  and  tremble  for  you,  and  hope  and  pray 
that  some  way  will  be  shortly  opened  by  which  you 
will  be  relieved.  Having  told  you  all  that  relates  to 
my  earthly  circumstances,  it  would  be  pleasant  to 
converse  aJ)out  that  heavenly  kingdom  whither  we,  if 
God's  children,  are  hastening,  but  I  must  for  the 
present  bid  you,  dear  mother,  adieu." 

To  the  same,  Sept.  1,  1822. 

"  I  have  lately  received  two  very  agreeable,  refresh- 
ing letters,  which  ought  to  have  been  answered  be- 
fore now.  Both  were  in  your  handwriting.  I  had 
commenced  a  Latin  letter  to  Mr.  Grout,  when  I 
received  your  last,  and  have  since  begun  a  letter  to 
you,  which,  owing  to  a  multiplicity  of  studies,  I  did 
not  finish.  This^  however,  I  intend  shall  reach  you. 
It  was  my  purpose  to  have  written  many  epistles  to 
my  friends  during  the  present  vacation;  but  they 
have  been  more  neglected  than  at  other  times.  I 
reside  in  my  room,  which,  as  I  before  stated  to  you, 
is  in  the  fourth  story,  with  only  one  window,  and 
that  opening  to  the  west.     No  one  else  resides  in 


104  MEMOIROF 

this  section  of  the  college.  Brick  walls  surround 
me.  So  you  would  naturally  suppose  that  I  am  in 
a  gloomy  place ;  especially  so  when  I  tell  you  that  I 
am  fastened  in  with  bolts  and  bars,  such  being  the 
law.  But  I  have  a  key  by  which  I  can  lock  myself 
in  or  out,  as  I  please,  so  that  I  am  a  voluntary  pris- 
oner. My  fellow  students  remonstrated  with  me  for 
desiring  to  spend  a  vacation  here.  ^  But  how  can  I 
be  lonely  ?  I  arise  in  good  season,  and  after  med- 
itating on  the  admonitory  sentence  which  king  Philip 
commanded  to  be  uttered  every  day  in  his  hearing, 
*  Thou  art  mortal^  I  spend  the  forenoon  on  mathe- 
matical, philosophical,  and  historical  subjects.  I  also 
am  examining  a  metaphysical  point,  on  which  I  am 
to  write  a  composition.  French  occupies  me  in  the 
afternoon.  This  language  I  can  read  and  write  con- 
siderably, though  I  can  speak  it  but  poorly.  Yet  I 
am  happy  to  find  that  my  pronunciation  is  quite  cor- 
rect. Frenchmen  understand  me  without  difficulty. 
If  my  life  be  spared  I  expect  to  commence  the 
Spanish  next  winter.  On  the  north  side  of  my 
room  is  a  library,  containing  several  thousands  of 
volumes,  to  which  I  have  untrammelled  access,  all 
the  keys  of  it  being  in  my  possession.  There  is 
another,  to  which  I  can  be  admitted  if  occasion 
require.  If  I  look  out  from  my  window,  I  have  a 
full  view  of  the  city,  and  the  Mohawk  river;  also  of 
the  plain  where  the  Indians  used  to  dance." 

"  September  12. 

"  Dear  Mother  :  —  How  much  time  must  I  spend 
in  going  to  the  post-office  to  find  a  letter  from  you, 
and  still  return,  disappointed  ?     If  the  reason  is  that 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  105 

you  are  afraid  it  will  distress  me  to  pay  the  postage, 
I  must  beseech  you  not  to  deprive  me  on  that  ac- 
count of  hearing  from  you.  Kind  and  generous 
mother,  do  let  me  have  a  letter.  The  Lord  is  yet 
more  merciful  to  me  than  I  deserve.  Friends  I  find 
here,  though  I  become  acquainted  with  as  few  per- 
sons as  possible.  Recently  I  received  some  excellent 
articles  of  clothing,  from  a  source  unknown  to  me. 
O,  how  anxious  I  feel  to  discharge  my  duty.  Much, 
very  much,  is  incumbent  on  me.  I  desire  to  be  pre- 
pared to  see  my  only  remaining  parent ;  to  meet,  in 
the  spirit  of  the  gospel,  those  who  opposed  my 
efforts  to  obtain  knowledge,  and  to  prove  myself  an 
honor  to  those  who  have  befriended  me.  I  wish  to 
be  deserving  of  the  name  of  scholar  —  a  name  which 
many  thousands  disgrace ;  especially  to  be  worthy 
the  name  of  a  Christian." 

Near  the*  close  of  1822,  Mr.  Taylor  made  his 
mother  a  visit.  Two  years  and  a  half  had  passed 
away  since  their  affecting  farewell  was  spoken.  He 
reached  the  humble  dwelling  of  his  parent  after  the 
darkness  of  night  had  settled  around  it.  She  was 
then  residing  in  that  part  of  Hawley  denominated 
Bozrah,  but  was  absent  when  he  arrived.  It  was  not 
long,  however,  before  she  returned.  Seeing  her  com- 
ing he  hastened  to  meet  her,  and  embracing  her  in 
his  arms,  exclaimed :  "  My  mother !  my  mother !  O 
my  mother ! " 

Journal.  "Hawley,  Dec.  14,  1822.  —  To-day  I 
have  visited  that  part  of  the  town  where  my  father 
lived.     To  me   all  things   seem   changed.     Here  is 


106  MEMOIR    OF 

where  my  deceased  parent  used  to  toil :  many  ques- 
tions did  I  propose  to  him  while  we  were  hoeing 
corn  in  that  field  —  questions  relating  to  the  nature 
of  objects  around  me.  Yonder  is  the  mountain  over 
which  I  was  accustomed  to  pass  with  my  father  to 
the  house  of  God.  Here  I  behold  some  of  the 
noblest  works  of  the  infinite  Creator.  In  towering 
grandeur  hills  are  piled  on  hills  till  their  summits 
seem  lost  in  the  clouds.  I  enter  the  very  dwelling 
in  which  once  lay  my  father's  lifeless  form ;  oh,  the 
scenes  of  sorrow  through  which  he  passed  in  this 
habitation.  Yet  unspeakable  joy  was  here  experi- 
enced. Jesus  dwelt  in  this  abode.  — Now  I  stand  by 
the  side  of  his  grave.  Beneath  this  cold  turf  moulder 
those  once  active  limbs.  Briars  and  thorns  have 
already  taken  possession  of  the  ground  where  he 
lies.  15.  —  This  day  I  have  attended  public  worship 
in  the  same  sanctuary  whither,  in  childhood,  I  re- 
sorted so  often.  Many  and  solemn  have  been  my 
thoughts,  and  various  the  emotions  of  my  heart.  I 
have  already  attended  one  religious  meeting  with 
my  mother's  neighbors,  in  which  we  mutually  com- 
municated our  feelings,  and  endeavored  to  adopt 
measures  to  promote  a  revival  of  religion  in  the 
vicinity.  23.  —  After  public  services  yesterday  I 
stopped  at  Col.  Longley's,  for  the  purpose  of  at- 
tending a  Sabbath  evening  meeting.  It  was  with 
much  reluctance  that  I  went  to  it.  I  knew  that  I 
should  be  expected  to  speak,  and  I  shrank  from  the 
attempt.  I  think,  however,  the  Lord  loosed  my 
tongue,  for  I  spoke  twice  with  a  good  degree  of  free- 
dom. 26.  —  Last  night,  for  the  first  time  in  nearly 
three  years,  we  were  all  together  as  a  family.     This 


REV.    OLIVER   A.   TAYLOR.  107 

morning  I  parted  with  brother  Rufus.  Oh,  how 
he  seemed  to  love  me.  I  conversed  with  him  about 
his  soul,  as  I  did  with  all  my  brothers  and  sisters; 
have  also  just  bidden  adieu  to  my  sister  Sarah.  Her 
eyes  filled  with  tears.  If  I  meet  her  no  more  on 
earth  may  we  greet  each  other  in  the  land  of  eternal 
joy.  I  made  several  calls  on  the  neighbors  of  my 
mother,  offering  a  prayer  in  each  family." 

Before  coming  to  Hawley  it  was  his  impression 
that  he  should  not  go  much  into  society.  More  he 
supposed  would  be  expected  of  him  than  he  could 
possibly  perform ;  besides,  he  remembered  the  little 
confidence  formerly  felt  by  some  in  his  talents.  On 
arriving,  however,  he  soon  found  himself  in  the  com- 
pany of  devoted  friends,  who  treated  him  as  a  son 
and  brother,  doing  for  him  as  if  he  were  one  of  their 
own  family  circle.  Articles  of  clothing,  and  also 
small  sums  of  money,  were  kindly  given  him.  He 
observes :  —  "I  desire  to  keep  in  view  the  kind  hand 
of  Providence  which  has  so  often  opened  a  door  for 
me  when  I  was  depressed  and  shut  up,  seemingly 
without  a  way  of  escape.  To  the  ladies'  society, 
which  has  generously  assisted  me,  I  have  written  a 
letter  of  thanks.  30.  —  Prepared  for  my  return  to 
college,  and  bade  adieu  to  my  mother.  Having 
sent  my  trunk  by  stage,  I  walked  on  to  Lanesbo- 
rough.     31.  —  Arrived  at  Nassau. 

"  Jan.  1,  1823.  —  I  intended  to  go  on  this  day  to 
Albany,  but  a  snow-storm  detains  me.  A  new  year 
has  begun ;  may  I  make  great  progress  in  the  acqui- 
sition of  useful  secular  knowledge,  but  especially  in 
spiritual.      3.  —  Reached   college   to-day  in   health. 


108  MEMOIR    OF 

29.  —  I  am  informed  that  I  have  tones  of  voice  which 
must  be  overcome ;  that  I  have  much  to  do  in  order 
to  become  a  good  speaker.  My  ambition  would  soar 
at  once  to  the  highest  pinnacle  of  fame,  but  in  order 
to  advance  at  all  I  must  closely  apply  myself.  It  is 
a  pleasure  in  my  case  to  acquire  knowledge.  At 
present  I  am  reading  the  memoirs  and  remains  of 
Kirke  White,  and  find  my  mind  stimulated  in  its 
thirst  for  knowledge.  His  end  1  would  avoid.  I 
have  many  fears  that  my  desires  for  learning  do  not 
strictly  accord  with  religion,  but  may  God  be  all  in 
all  to  me.  Hitherto  I  have  written  more  or  less  of 
poetry,  but  now  there  seems  to  be  no  time  for  it. 
While  anxious  to  excel  in  every  branch  of  study,  I 
constantly  commit   mistakes   which   confound   me. 

30.  —  Mrs.  H.  lately  informed  me  that  she  hinted  to 
Dr.  Nott  my  aims  and  desires,  saying  that  I  disliked 
to  leave  my  studies  and  teach  school.  He  expressed 
great  interest  in  my  case,  and  said  I  should  be  as- 
sisted. Accordingly  his  son  has  called  upon  me  to 
inquire  into  my  circumstances.  I  explained  them 
very  freely.  I  fear  too  much  so ;  as  if  I  were  expect- 
ing unreasonable  aid. 

"  Feb.  2.  —  A  sacramental  Sabbath.  With  what 
thoughts  am  1  about  to  commemorate  Christ's 
death  ?  Do  I  not  feel  unworthy  of  even  the  least  of 
God's  mercies?  4.  —  It  is  difficult,  I  find,  to  keep 
the  honor  of  Jehovah  before  my  eye  in  every  study. 
Dr.  Yates  called  upon  me  to-day  and  made  various 
tender  inquiries,  and  I  freely  opened  my  mind  to 
him." 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  109 

To  his  sister  Sarah,*  March  27,  1823. 

"Dear  Sister:  —  This  letter  will  probably  find 
you  residing  at  the  old  place,  where  for  years  we 
enjoyed  each  other's  society.  I  love  to  ruminate  on 
the  blessings  we  there  received.  Yes,  I  delight  to 
rove  in  imagination  over  those  hills,  and  to  converse 
with  the  scenes  of  my  childhood.  It  is,  however,  with 
sadness  that  I  remember  the  days  passed  in  the  field, 
which  ought  to  have  been  devoted  to  books.  I  suf- 
fer greatly  for  want  of  early  mental  discipline ;  but 
I  will  not  repine  at  the  divine  wisdom  which  ordered 
the  circumstances  of  my  youth.  Perhaps  you  feel 
like  complaining,  when  you  contrast  your  present 
privileges  with  mine.  Be  assured,  my  sister,  that  I 
grieve  for  you.  The  warmest  sympathies  of  my 
heart  are  with  you.  Endeavor  to  improve  all  the 
opportunities  within  your  reach.  Much  may  be  done 
by  reading  and  meditation.  Let  the  Bible  be  your 
chief  book.  Neglecting  that,  involves  us  in  numer- 
ous errors.  I  feel  that  my  own  sins  in  respect  to  it 
have  placed  me  on  slippery  ground.  The  holy  Com- 
forter has  been  grieved  from  my  breast.  Fly  to  the 
arms  of  Jesus,  and  live  always  near  to  him. 

"  Why  have  I  received  no  letters  from  my  friends 
during  the  winter  past?  Have  they  all  forgotten 
that  my  home  has  been  within  the  cold  walls  of  a 
college,  and  that  I  have  needed  at  least  a  letter  to 
cheer  me  ?  So  anxious  have  I  been  to  receive  one 
from  mother,  that  last  night  I  was  tempted  to  take  an 
old  one  from  the  office  which  she  wrote  me  just  before 

*  His  eldest  sister,  now  the  wife  of  Mr.  A.  T>.  Sprout,  of  South 
Deerfield,  Massachusetts. 

10 


110  MEMOIR     OP 

my  visit  to  her  last  December.  Say  to  her  that  I 
have  ah*eady  travelled  about  twenty  miles  to  and 
from  the  office,  and  yet  all  in  vain.  Of  late  there 
have  been  some  indications  of  an  awakening  in  this 
city,  but  if  there  be  any  cloud  of  mercy,  as  yet  it  is 
no  larger  than  a  man's  hand." 

Journal.  "  April  1.  —  And  must  it  be  that  he  who 
fills  immensity  shall  receive  so  little  of  my  attention  ? 
Resistance  to  him  —  it  is  death  !  Wonderful  Being ! 
Li  thee  centres  all  good.  On  thy  works  I  would 
gaze ;  their  wisdom  and  greatness  I  would  admire  I " 

"April  15,  1823. 

"  Dear  Mother  :  —  You  cannot  but  feel  anxious 
and  tremble  for  the  child  you  love,  nor  can  you  fail 
to  fear  when  you  know  he  is  surrounded  by  danger. 
I  honor  your  watchful  eye  and  the  tenderness  of  that 
hand  which  would  lead  me  in  the  ways  of  virtue. 
It  must  be  a  grief  to  an  affectionate  child  to  find 
that  his  course  disturbs  the  peace  of  the  beloved 
guardian  of  his  early  years;  but  do  you  suppose 
your  son  will  ever  become  a  denier  of  God  ?  These 
worlds  upon  worlds  teach  us  in  a  language  which 
reason  cannot  but  receive,  that  there  is  an  Almighty 
Creator.  But  where  shall  we  go  for  the  develop- 
ment of  the  character  of  the  Framer  of  all  things, 
except  to  the  Bible  ? 

"  Believe  me,  it  is  hard  to  study  for  the  glory  of 
God  alone.  Our  selfish  natures  will  protrude  them- 
selves. From  some  remarks  of  mine,  which  may 
have  been  unguarded,  you  fear  that  I  am  an  infidel. 
To  be  an  infidel  is  to  be  blindfolded,  bound  hand 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  Ill 

and  foot,  and  cast  into  hell  fire.  As  to  bad  com- 
pany, I  have  no  company  at  all.  My  study  is  my 
home.  Can  it  be  that  you,  who  know  that  my  book 
is  my  life,  suppose  me  to  have  become  reckless  of 
study?  You  ask  me,  in  positive  terms,  whether  I 
am  an  infidel  or  not,  and  I  can  answer  you  with  con- 
fidence in  the  negative.  You  wish  to  know  whether 
I  attend  to  secret  prayer,  and  whether  I  read  the 
Bible  ?  My  answer  is,  I  do  both ;  but  oh,  how  dull 
and  formal !  How  hard  it  is  to  confine  the  thoughts 
to  that  most  precious  book!  I  have  not  of  late 
enjoyed  the  smiles  of  the  Saviour,  and  I  have  feared 
that  I  do  not  know  what  it  is  to  be  born  again  ;  yet 
my  struggles  are  that  my  soul  may  rest  upon  my 
Redeemer.  I  seek  his  face.  I  long  for  his  love.  I 
endeavor  to  hate  things  which  I  ought  to  hate,  and 
ask,  '•  Can  I  not  do  it  for  Christ's  sake  ?  '  I  pray  for 
deliverance  from  sin,  yet  in  the  midst  of  my  suppli- 
cations some  beloved  idol  hurries  me  away  from  the 
mercy  seat.  Alas,  how  often  do  I  have  to  fight  over 
the  ground  which  I  had  supposed  completely  sub- 
dued." 

Hints  in  the  last  letter  would  lead  us  to  suppose 
that  his  mother  felt  intensely  anxious  for  his  spiritual 
state.  Such  was  the  fact,  and  to  her  prayers  he 
attributed  his  deliverance  from  sceptical  tendencies. 

Journal.  "  AprU  16.  —  When  I  experience  the 
smiles  of  those  around  me  my  joy  is  great,  and  I  am 
ready  to  think  the  world  is  in  my  favor,  and  pride 
myself  on  my  good  qualities.  If,  on  the  contrary,  I 
meet  a  frown,  at  once  I  conclude  the  world  is 
against  me.     The  truth  is,  in  neither  case  should  the 


112  MEMOIR    OF 

mind  be  much  moved.  Let  me  rest  calmly  and  con- 
tinuously on  Christ."  At  a  later,  but  lost  date,  he 
says :  "  I  arose  this  morning  and  felt  quite  strong 
for  study ;  enjoyed  also  some  confidence  in  prayer. 
Oh,  that  I  could  feel  more.  It  is  my  desire  to  cast 
my  all  upon  Jesus. 

"  May  27.  —  Have  been  sick  two  or  three  days. 
Retired  to  rest  Sabbath  evening  soon  after  tea,  but 
owing  to  a  severe  pain  in  my  head  I  slept  none 
during  the  night.  Monday  I  called  in  a  physician, 
and  Tuesday  was  able  to  go  out.  Much  do  we  need 
friends  when  we  are  in  pain  and  distress;  but  in 
college  no  mothers,  no  sisters,  no  affectionate  cousins, 
are  present  to  watch  around  us.  May  I  be  impressed 
with  the  importance  of  abiding  in  the  friendship  of 
Christ.  Great  God,  may  I  call  thee  mine,  whatever 
is  my  terrestrial  lot.  This  high  privilege  I  crave 
only  in  Christ's  name.  I  am  nothing  of  myself. 
Well  might  I  despair  if  I  did  not  know  that  thou  art 
holy,  just,  and  good.  Fill  my  heart  with  thy  love, 
bless  my  mother,  brothers,  and  sisters." 

To  his  brother  Timothy,  June  13,  1823. 

"  Suffer  me  to  speak  freely  to  you,  for,  though  I 
feel  much  for  all  my  brothers,  it  is  you  that  I  now 
address  myself  in  particular.  In  imagination  I  often 
behold  you,  and  the  thoughts  thus  occasioned  affect 
my  heart.  I  look  upon  you  without  a  kind  father  to 
direct  you  while  passing  through  the  world's  wide 
maze,  and  I  know  that  you  are  in  danger  of  being 
deceived.  Against  this  I  would  guard  you,  were  it 
in  my  power,  telling  you  of  each  fatal  snare.  Know 
that  vain  and  uncertain  are  all  things  here  below* 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  113 

Nothing  is  more  deceptive  than  the  course  youth  are 
inclined  to  take.  The  path  of  religion  is  safe  and 
sure ;  all  others  are  false.  Be  assured  that  there  is 
security  for  those  only  who  live  near  the  bosom  of 
Jesus.  I  wish  you  to  make  one  resolution,  — '  As 
for  me,  I  will  serve  the  Lord.'  You  should  give 
yourself  much  to  reflection  in  every  respect.  Be 
faithful  where  duty  calls  you.  Improve  every  mo- 
ment of  your  time  in  treasuring  up  useful  knowledge. 
Above  all  things  be  kind  to  your  only  remaining 
parent.  Remember  her  tender  solicitude,  and  alle- 
viate her  cares.  Trust  not  to  the  advice  which  young 
persons  may  give  you." 

To  Col.  J.  Longley,  of  Hawley,  July  4,  1823. 

"  Dear  Sir:  —  This  morning  I  was  early  awakened 
by  the  ringing  of  bells  and  the  firing  of  cannon.  Day, 
this,  ever  to  be  remembered.  But,  alas,  how  per- 
verted are  its  hours !  Of  the  propriety  of  commem- 
orating our  nation's  birthday  I  make  no  question. 
We  enjoy  liberty^  and  what  associations  are  attached 
to  this  term!     I  will,  however,  pass  to  other  themes. 

"  Students  enjoy  walks ;  three  of  us  were  out  one 
Saturday  of  late  just  at  night.  We  passed  along  on 
the  bank  of  the  canal.  A  shower  had  fallen,  and 
God's  bow  was  then  on  the  cloud.  We  admired  the 
works  of  the  Creator  till  twilight  was  beginning  to 
suggest  a  return.  Suddenly  the  cry  of  a  lad  warned 
us  that  some  one  was  drowning  not  far  from  where 
we  were.  A  fellow  mortal,  a  youth  of  eighteen,  had 
gone  down  into  a  watery  grave.  We  could  all  swim, 
yet  not  one  of  us  had  been  accustomed  to  dive. 
With  the  utmost  despatch  possible  we  constructed  a 
10* 


114  MEMOIR    OF 

raft  out  of  a  gate  and  boards.  Soon  a  diver  came, 
and  the  lifeless  body  was  brought  up.  It  had  sunk  in 
nine  feet  depth  of  water.  All  exertions  to  resuscitate 
it  proved  unavailing.  The  youth  has  left  no  near  rela- 
tives, but  being  hopefully  pious  we  trust  he  has  gone 
into  the  joyful  presence  of  an  eternal  Father.  It  was 
with  melancholy  hearts  that  my  companions  and 
myself  returned  to  our  rooms.  Yonder,  I  see  to- 
day, at  their  sports,  the  companions  of  the  deceased. 
He  was  to  have  been  with  them.  How  uncertain  is 
human  life  I " 

Having,  early  in  July,  been  kindly  invited  to  spend 
his  coming  vacation  in  a  family  not  very  far  from 
college,  where  he  would  be  at  but  little  expense,  he 
observes :  "  I  much  fear  that  should  I  accept,  it  would 
prove  a  ^eat  hindrance  to  my  studies.  Every  thing 
of  this  nature  I  dread,  deeming  it  my  duty  to  make 
the  greatest  progress  possible  in  the  acquisition  of 
knowledge. 

"  July  13.  —  Of  late  I  have  made  an  effort  to  get 
under  the  Albany  Presbytery,  yet  I  shudder  at  the 
thought  of  employing  the  Lord's  treasures  on  myself. 
It  seems  to  me  a  fearful  thing^  In  the  latter  part  of 
August  he  attended  a  meeting  of  the  above-named 
ecclesiastical  body  at  Saratoga,  and  was  received  as 
its  beneficiary.  He  remarks  :  "  Each  step,  during  all 
my  course  of  study,  thus  far,  has  been  taken  with 
the  utmost  effort.  My  appearance,  I  should  judge, 
is  by  no  means  promising  at  first  sight.  The  rustic 
habits  of  my  youth  cling  to  me.  It  is  only  after 
long  acquaintance  that  people  conclude  I  can  know 
any  thing.     At  times  I  am  nearly  overwhelmed  with 


REV.    OLIVER   A.    TAYLOR.  115 

trials ;  then  again  I  have  confidence  that  God,  for 
Christ's  sake,  directs  me. 

"  Aug.  22.  —  This  morning  I  have  be  en  greatly- 
perplexed  with  thoughts  on  the  distracted  state  of 
the  world.  What  tries  me  is  the  idea  that  mankind 
are  generally  destitute  of  sympathy  one  for  another. 
Man  in  his  earthly  pilgrimage  is  pursued  by  disease 
and  death.  He  needs  compassion  from  his  fellows. 
I  have  before  sworn,  arid  here  I  repeat  my  solemn 
oath,  to  spend  my  life  in  relieving  the  sufferings  of 
humanity.  But  may  I  never  fall  into  the  hands  of 
man. 

"  Sept.  11.  —  To-morrow  our  vacation  closes.  I 
have  not  accomplished  so  much  as  I  had  anticipated. 
Yet  I  cannot  wholly  condemn  myself.  Much  I  have 
read;  some  I  have  meditated.  One  demonstration 
I  have  written  in  Latin.  My  knowledge  of  French 
has  been  so  advanced  that  I  can  write  a  letter  in  it, 
and  also  converse  a  little.  In  reading  it  I  am  quite 
at  home.  Furthermore,  I  have  written  seven  or  eight 
pieces  of  poetry,  besides  prose  compositions.  Time's 
rapid  flight  grieves  me.  I  must  draw  tighter  and 
tighter  every  string." 

In  November  Mr.  T.  was  taken  sick.  It  was  his 
opinion,  and  also  that  of  some  judicious  physicians, 
that  he  would  have  soon  recovered  had  not  a  mistake 
been  made  by  a  young  medical  student  in  adminis- 
tering to  him.  After  remaining  awhile  in  college 
without  improvement,  his  class  mates  raised  a  suffi- 
cient sum  of  money  to  defray  his  expenses  and  sent 
him  to  his  mother's.  He  was  attended  by  one  of 
their  number.     The  journey  was  tedious.     It  was 


116  MEMOIR    OF 

performed  in  a  private  carriage ;  the  weather  was 
changeable  and  the  roads  were  poor.  At  its  com- 
pletion he  felt  nearly  exhausted.  When  within  sight 
of  the  maternal  abode  he  found  himself  obliged  to 
rest  for  a  night.  Great  fears  were  excited  among  his 
friends  that  he  had  come  home  to  die. 

Journal.  "  Nov.  23.  —  I  am  now  beginning  to 
recover  in  some  measure  from  my  sickness.  God 
grant  that  this  affliction  may  humble  me,  and  assist 
me  to  live  hereafter  more  to  his  glory  than  I  have 
done.  How  it  tends  to  abase  pride  to  be  thus  pros- 
trated by  sickness.  30th,  Sabbath.  —  May  I  spend 
this  day  to  the  honor  of  God.  How  should  my 
heart  leap  up  to  him.  The  more  I  dwell  on  scenes 
just  past  in  my  history  the  greater  does  the  divine 
compassion  appear.  I  have  just  heard  of  the  death 
of  Abner  Kingsley,  whom  I  left  at  college  in  usual 
health.     We  were  intimates." 

January  10, 1824.  —  We  again  find  him  at  college. 
Referring  to  his  late  illness,  he  says  that  previous  to 
it  success  in  study  had  fostered  pride  in  him.  His 
affliction  he  regarded  as  a  necessary  chastisement 
from  God.  Viewing  the  divine  hand  in  all  that  had 
come  upon  him,  he  adds,  "  I  must  go  and  sin  no 
more,  lest  a  worse  thing  come  upon  me.  18.  —  My 
instructors  and  fellow  students  all  believe  that  my 
sickness  was  the  result  of  too  close  application. 
Last  evening  Dr.  Yates  sent  for  me  that  he  might 
caution  me  against  late  hours.  He  had  noticed  my 
lamp  burning  early  and  late. 

"February. —  My  prayer  to  God  is  that  none  of 
my  temptations  may  overcome  me  ;  let  every  fibre  of 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  ll7 

my  heart  be  fastened  on  Christ.  I  am  comforted 
that  the  greatest  conflict  prepares  for  the  greatest 
glory. 

'  "  April  2.  —  One  for  some  time  under  conviction 
now  rejoices  in  Christ.  Indeed  there  is  at  present 
considerable  religious  interest  in  college.  Three  of 
us  united  our  supplications  in  behalf  of  the  individ- 
ual just  named,  and  we  trust  we  were  heard  in 
heaven.  4.  —  In  reading  Brainerd's  life  this  morn- 
ing, especially  that  part  of  it  in  which  he  speaks  of 
the  difficulties  attendant  upon  the  introduction  of 
Christianity  among  the  Indians,  I  was  struck  with 
the  importance  of  candidates  for  the  ministry  exam- 
ining carefully  the  proofs  of  the  genuineness  and 
authenticity  of  the  gospel,  and  of  studying  meta- 
physically the  attributes  of  God.  I  purpose  to  pay 
the  strictest  attention  to  these  points.  This  morning 
I  have  knocked  at  the  door  of  my  heart,  and  find 
some  longing  desires  after  God.  13.  —  More  en- 
gagedness  in  prayer  of  late,  with  earnest  requests  for 
showers  of  grace  upon  my  own  soul.  In  the  pres- 
sent  vacation  I  am  teaching  French  and  learning 
Spanish." 

"April  27,  1824. 

"  Honored  Mother  :  —  Were  I  to  see  you,  two 
questions  you  would  propose,  one  respecting  the 
health  of  my  soul,  the  other  of  my  body.  I  must 
tell  you  that  the  former  is  sick  and  neglected.  I  am 
afraid  you  will  deceive  yourself  in  regard  to  my  case 
if  I  do  not  speak  plainly.  I  feel  no  love  to  God,  am 
often  troubled  with  temptations,  and  do  not  stand 
fiery  trials  as  a  Christian.  Yet  I  believe  Jehovah  to 
be  the  centre  of  all  perfections,  and   Christ  to  be 


118  MEMOIR    OF 

the  only  Saviour.  I  desire  to  loose  all  the  bind- 
ing influences  which  hold  me  to  earth  except  such  as 
religion  requires,  that  I  may  meditate  on  heaven. 
Jesus,  I  long  for  thee.  Plead,  mother,  before  the 
throne  of  grace  for  me;  plead  earnestly,  as  for  a 
fallen,  wretched  worm,  destitute  of  grace.  Please 
write  immediately  and  particularly;  be  also  as  a 
letter  from  me  to  my  brothers,  sisters,  and  friends." 

Journal.  "  May  3.  —  An  Italian  came  to  college 
asking  alms.  It  was  gratifying  to  me  that  I  could  con- 
verse a  little  with  him  in  French,  as  he  did  not  speak 
English."  In  the  course  of  this  month  he  was  deeply 
engaged  in  studies,  and  at  the  same  time  heard  a 
number  of  pupils  recite.  Not  far  from  the  last  date 
we  find  him  rather  congratulating  himself  on  the  loss 
of  a  college  appointment  which  seemed  to  belong  to 
him  equally  with  the  receiver  of  it.  He  thought  his 
clothes  were  not  sufficiently  good  for  him  to  appear 
in  public  as  a  performer.  "  25. —  Was  severely  rep- 
rimanded to-day  for  applying  myself  so  closely  to 
study. 

"  July  11.  —  The  want  of  needful  money  has 
greatly  perplexed  me  of  late.  22.  —  Have  just  been 
notified  of  my  election  to  a  membership  in  the  Phi 
Beta  Kappa  Society.  This  was  entirely  unexpected 
to  me."  The  day  following  he  was  inducted  into 
the  above-named  society.  In  the  course  of  July  he 
made  a  short  visit  to  his  mother. 

"October  11,  1824. 

"Dear  Mother: — Since  I  saw  you  all  things 
have  gone  on  favorably.     When  I  bade  you  farewell 


REV.   OLIVER   A.   TAYLOR.  119 

my  intention  was  to  travel  on  foot  to  Schenectady. 
Providence,  however,  interposed  in  my  behalf.  From 
two  female  friends  I  received  money  enough  to  per- 
mit me  to  come  by  stage  to  Albany,  and  also  to  pay 
some  borrowed  money.  My  walk  to  Plainfield  was 
pleasant.  May  my  heart  ever  be  mindful  of  those 
benefactors  whose  kindness  I  have  received,  and  for 
them  my  prayers  ascend.  Thanks  to  God,  dear 
mother,  that  he  has  made  our  way  so  comfortable." 

Nov.  30,  1824,  Mr.  T.  wrote  to  his  brother  Rufus, 
then  residing  with  a  gentleman  in  Hawley.  The 
letter  was  highly  serviceable  to  the  receiver.  Its 
main  thoughts  are  here  presented. 

"  You  would  think  I  were  imposing  upon  you  were 
I  to  write  to  you  in  a  boyish  strain.  I  shall  not  do 
it,  for  you  have  come  to  years  when  truth  begins  to 
employ  your  researches.  In  the  first  place  I  want  to 
know  what  is  the  object  of  your  ambition  ?  Is  it 
play,  work,  study,  or  excelling  in  the  acquisition  of 
some  trade  ?  Has  imagination  taken  the  reins,  and 
do  you  begin  to  burn  with  poetic  fire  ?  Do  the  stud- 
ies of  nature  interest  you,  and  are  you  truly  desir- 
ing to  be  a  scholar,  a  philosopher  ?  In  asking  these 
questions  I  am  in  good  earnest.  Some,  I  know,  will 
laugh  at  them,  and  would  at  you,  should  you  aspire 
to  be  any  thing  more  than  a  farmer,  or  follower  of  a 
trade.  My  dear  brother,  you  must  be  in  a  few  years 
whatever  you  now  desire  to  be.  Why,  then,  not 
resolve  to  be  something  good  and  noble  ?  I  should 
like  to  have  you  a  complete  scholar.  You  can  be 
one  if  you  set  out  for  the  attainment.     But  you  will 


120  MEMOIR    OF 

be  compelled  to  study  night  and  day  for  a  long  time. 
I  would  not  dictate  to  you,  for  no  one  can  choose  for 
you.  Great  and  good  men,  however,  can  give  you  the 
best  advice,  and  their  assistance  will  be  of  much  use 
to  you.  As  for  young  persons,  they  know  nothing  as 
they  ought.  They  are  apt  to  mistake  evil  for  good. 
At  any  rate  be  a  Christian." 

To  his  mother,  same  date. 

"  My  health  has  never  been  better  than  since  I  last 
saw  you.  My  pecuniary  prospects  are  quite  dark. 
You  will  not  wonder  at  this  when  you  reflect  that  I 
have  been  studying  two  years  and  a  half  without 
doing  much  to  earn  money.  Friends  have  helped 
me ;  I  feel  indebted  to  them.  They  ought  to  be,  and 
doubtless  are,  sensible  that  a  student  should  employ 
his  whole  time  in  studying,  and  not  half  of  it  in  col- 
lege and  half  of  it  in  teaching  school,  for  the  latter 
course  of  education  sends  into  the  world  persons  who 
have  not  learned  their  own  ignorance,  and  are  less 
fitted  for  usefulness  than  are  those  who  have  read  only 
their  Bibles.  I  am  not  unmindful  of  your  condition, 
and  I  hope  a  door  will  be  opened  by  which  relief 
may  come  to  us  both." 

Journal.  "  Dec.  13.  —  Our  vacation  begins  the 
17th  of  this  month.  I  expect  to  spend  it  in  studying 
Greek  and  French.  Hope  also  to  read  and  write 
much.  To  meet  my  expenses  I  shall  teach  two 
evenings  in  the  week  a  mile  or  two  distant.  I  am 
likewise  to  pass  Sabbath  forenoons  in  the  same 
place. 

"  Jan.  2,  1825.  —  Five  years  are  completed  to-day 


KEV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  121 

since  my  father  arose  in  health  and  visited  the  house 
of  God,  where  he  commemorated  a  Saviour's  dying 
love  for  the  last  time  on  earth.  The  years  have  fled 
with  the  speed  of  an  arrow.  So  will  my  days  soon 
have  flown,  and  new  scenes  in  eternity  will  occupy 
my  attention.  11.  —  Am  distressed  by  poverty ;  know 
not  what  to  do.  Have  had  the  countenance  of  some 
of  the  most  influential  people  in  efforts  to  obtain  a 
singing  school,  but  the  scarcity  of  money  may  defeat 
me.  Besides,  the  officers  of  the  college  fear  the  effect 
w^hich  teaching  may  have  on  my  studies.  30. — 
Yesterday  I  requested  a  student  to  accompany  me 
to  the  prison.  I  designed  to  visit  John  P.,  who  was 
lately  tried  for  murder,  and  whose  trial  I  attended  in 
part,  and  who  was  condemned  to  be  hung  on  the 
25th  of  February  next,  between  nine,  a.  m.  and  three 
in  the  afternoon.  As  we  entered  he  did  not  look 
towards  us,  but  continued  to  read  a  book  aloud,  the 
contents  of  which  seemed  intimately  connected  with 
his  case.  When  we  spoke  to  him  he  received  us 
with  attention.  Could  it  be  otherwise  than  a  solemn 
interview!  There,  before  us,  sat  a  fellow-creature, 
sentenced  to  the  grave  by  the  laws  of  his  country^ 
The  bloom  of  youth  had  not  left  his  countenance. 
Finding  him  ready  to  converse,  we  endeavored  to 
ascertain  his  moral  situation,  and  to  point  him  to- 
the  Lamb  of  God.  His  voice  trembled  as  he  spoke,, 
and  occasionally  a  tear  started  in  his  eye.  Yet  we 
could  not  discover  in  him  marks  of  desirable  peni- 
tence. His  mind  was  continually  wandering  on 
points  of  the  Scriptures  which  were  to  him  altogether 
unimportant.  Yet  he  seemed  loath  that  we  should 
leave  him.  After  praying  with  him  we  took  his 
11 


12§  MEMOIR    OF 

hand  to  bid  him  farewell,  and  he  grasped  ours; 
with  mutual  reluctance  we  separated.  Poor  man, 
his  image  is  still  before  me.  I  know  that  many 
curse  him.  But  ah,  the  man  w^hose  hands  are 
stained  with  the  foulest  guilt  demands  from  kindred 
worms  some  commiseration.  Though  he  be  a  mur- 
derer, and  awfully  depraved,  still  I  cannot  but  weep 
w^hen  I  think  of  him. 

"  Feb.  1.  —  Having  secured  a  sufficient  number  of 
scholars  I  met  them  last  Saturday  evening  for  an 
exercise,  preparatory  to  the  opening  of  a  singing 
school.  My  Hawley  friends  have  just  sent  me  a 
generous  supply  of  clothing.  Few  occurrences  more 
pleasantly  affect  a  poor  student's  mind  than  the 
opening  of  such  a  bundle — finding  here  a  letter,  there 
a  little  money,  and  marks  of  affection  interspersed 
through  the  whole.  Senior,  year  is  rapidly  flying. 
An  almost  insupportable  languor  has  attended  me  of 
late.  It  is  occasioned  by  my  anxiety  in  respect  to 
my  school,  and  I  have  regretted  undertaking  to 
teach.  But  if  we  do  not  try  to  assist  ourselves 
while  others  extend  to  us  their  aid,  we  shall  soon  be 
deemed  unworthy  of  further  benefactions.  I  con- 
sider an  education  worth  every  thing,  and  to  obtain 
a  thorough  one  requires  the  most  constant  applica- 
tion. 6.  —  I  am  becoming  quite  pleased  with  the 
character  of  my  school.  Last  Sabbath  I  commenced 
being  a  regular  chorister  in  the  Presbyterian  church, 
having  officiated  several  Sabbaths  previously.  How 
soon  shall  I  enter,  if  at  all,  the  vineyard  of  my  Lord ! 
How  soon  w411  my  life's  career  be  ended,  and  I  be 
ushered  into  a  vast  eternity !  Let  Christians  live  as 
brothers,  then  they  will  mutually  assuage  each  others' 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  123 

sorrows.  Last  week  Professor  Potter  engaged  me 
to  translate  from  the  French  a  geometrical  work  of 
four  hundred  and  fifty  octavo  pages.  He  promises 
me  almost  any  price  I  may  please  to  ask.  The 
mercies  of  God  have  ever  been  to  me  very  great. 
At  present  a  good  degree  of  prosperity  attends  all 
my  efforts.  20.  —  Yesterday  I  called  upon  the  crim- 
inal under  sentence  of  death.  Oh  the  solemn  end 
to  which  he  hastens !  He  has  no  mother  to  weep 
over  him.  How  would  her  heart  be  agonized  were 
she  living.     Still  she  might  comfort  him." 

"Febraary  24,  1825. 

"Dear  Mother: — This  day  has  been  set  apart 
as  one  of  fasting  and  prayer  for  the  outpouring  of 
the  Spirit  of  God.  The  showers  of  divine  grace 
have  descended  around  us,  but  we,  though  dry  and 
parched,  have  received  none.  We  think,  at  least  we 
hope,  that  we  see  a  cloud  of  the  size  of  a  man's 
hand.  More  than  seven  times  have  we  been  to  look 
for  it,  yet  we  can  say  nothing  certain  about  it.  Our 
meetings  are  solemn,  so  is  the  hypocrite's  counte- 
nance, and  we  can  rely  safely  on  no  external  appear- 
ances, but  we  must  look  to  God. 

"  Within  sight  of  my  window  is  the  jail  in  which 
is  the  man  lately  tried  for  murder,  and  whose  execu- 
tion is  to  take  place  to-morrow.  Poor  man ;  this 
must  be  a  solitary  night  to  him.  I  have  seen  him, 
conversed  with  him,  and  prayed  with  him  in  his  cell. 
He  has  no  mother,  but  other  kindred  have  wept  with 
him;  among  them  was  an  aunt  who  brought  him 
up.     *  Ah,  John,'  she  said,  '  never  did  I  think  to  find 


124  MEMOIR    OP 

you  thus,  or  imagine  that  you  were  born  for  such  a 
doom.' 

"  I  spent  one  night  in  January,  a  few  miles  from 
this  place,  where  there  was  a  powerful  revival.  I 
thought  of  the  seasons  we  once  enjoyed  in  Hawley. 
Young  converts  were  praying,  singing,  and  rejoic- 
ing, while  sighs  betokened  the  presence  of  anxious 


Journal.  "March  1.  —  I  always  rejoice  to  salute 
the  spring,  yet  it  seems  like  taking  pleasure  in  the 
flight  of  time.  Our  earthly  joys  and  our  sorrows 
will  quickly  be  past,  and  we  shall  be  swallowed  up 
in  what  is  eternal.  3.  —  To-morrow  my  class  mate, 
Farnsworth,  starts  for  a  southern  residence ;  his 
health  renders  such  a  course  imperious.  During  the 
past  session  a  number  of  the  students  have  been 
sick.  How  admirable  the  affection  displayed  in 
some  instances  by  mothers  and  sisters !  One  of  the 
latter  cried  out  as  she  entered  a  sick  room,  '  Oh,  oh, 
is  this  my  brother  ? '  I,  too,  have  an  affectionate 
mother,  who  wept  when  she  heard  of  my  prostration, 
and  at  once  resolved  to  spend,  if  necessary,  all  her 
means  of  subsistence  for  my  restoration ;  a  sister, 
too,  when  apprised  of  my  illness,  wept  almost  until 
she  could  weep  no  more. 

"  April  27.  —  Closed  my  school  last  evening,  and 
on  the  whole  I  have  been  pleased  with  it,  though  it 
has  been  small.  I  have  completed  three  hundred 
pages  in  translating  Biot.  Only  three  days  of  leisure 
shall  I  enjoy  during  the  present  vacation. 

"May   1. —  Attended   communion;   my  heart  is 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  125 

always  bad  on  such  occasions;  never  worse  than 
to-day.     I  cry, '  Lord,  Lord,  poor  offender  am  I ! ' " 

On  the  15th  he  says,  "  Castle  died  yesterday  morn- 
ing at  Albany,"  and  adds,  "  together  with  his  other 
class  mates  I  this  day  have  attended  his  funeral  at 
Ballstown.  He  was  buried  before  we  arrived,  owing 
to  the  rapidity  with  which  his  body  decayed.  His 
countenance  recently  shone  with  all  the  vigor  of 
youth ;  his  mind  was  active  ;  his  prospects  of  future 
success,  happiness,  and  religious  enjoyment,  were 
animating.  We  loved  him.  Nearly  three  years  had 
he  been  my  companion.  We  had  wall^ed  to  the 
house  of  God  together,  and  conversed  of  our  various 
hopes.  When  this,  our  last  term,  commenced,  we 
unitedly  endeavored  to  prepare  for  the  performance 
of  the  duties  incumbent  on  us  in  college.  Soon  we 
expected  to  enter  on  the  world's  great  stage.  But 
that  countenance  of  his,  on  which  I  had  so  often 
gazed,  has  begun  to  moulder.  His  seat  is  vacant. 
That  youth,  with  whom  I  had  contended  in  friendly 
competition,  has  retired  from  the  scene.  As  from 
time  to  time  he  passed  of  late  through  our  midst  he 
tried  to  smile,  yet  paleness  was  on  his  cheek.  Who 
thought,  however,  that  we  should  so  soon  see  him  no 
more  ?  The  same  bell  calls,  and  we  still  assemble 
for  prayer ;  but  he  heeds  its  notes  no  longer.  Where 
he  gave  himself  up  to  God,  and  vowed  to  be  Christ's 
forever,  I  have  heard  his  name  pronounced  as  en- 
rolled on  the  catalogue  of  the  dead.  I  saw  the 
newly  formed  grave.  The  turf  had  just  been  laid 
upon  it.  Theij  told  me  Castle  is  there  I  Oh,  I  would 
have  seen  his  lifeless  clay,  then  I  could  have  wept 
more  freely.  I  saw,  indeed,  the  mother's  tears  and 
11* 


126  MEMOIR    OF 

heard  the  father's  sigh,  though  both  were  truly 
resigned  to  heaven's  decree.  A  sister,  too,  with 
streaming  eyes,  I  saw  gaze  upon  the  cold  earth 
which  had  forever  concealed  her  brother  from  the 
view  of  the  world.  Yes,  Castle  is  dead !  How  have 
life's  fairest  hopes  been  cut  off!  How  has  what  was 
charming  been  swallowed  up  in  death ! " 

On  the  2oth  he  says,  "  By  some  means,  unknown 
to  us,  the  varioloid  has  been  introduced  into  Dr. 
Proudfit's  family,  and  four  of  its  members  have  al- 
ready taken  it.  The  event  has  occasioned  great  sen- 
sation in  college,  and  as  I  board  with  the  Doctor,  I 
suppose  I  must  be  shut  up  for  awhile. 

"June  11.  —  Lafayette  has  passed  through  this 
place  to-day,  and  most  of  us  had  a  view  of  him  and 
a  shake  of  his  hand.  His  limbs  are  stout,  and  his 
face,  eyes,  and  mouth  large.  His  complexion  is 
somewhat  sandy.  When  he  speaks  there  is  much 
animation  in  his  features.  Thoughts  of  his  youthful 
ardor,  of  his  battle  scenes,  and  of  the  honors  which 
he  now  enjoys,  rushed  into  my  mind  as  I  gazed  upon 
the  man.  Often  has  that  hand  grasped  the  sword, 
often  has  that  eye  beheld  scenes  of  carnage.  His 
fame  fills  the  land.  Yet  what  will  all  this  adoration 
from  mortals  accomplish  toward  preparing  him  for 
the  approbation  of  his  final  Judge  ?  " 

To  Col.  J.  Longley,  June  26,  1825. 

"Dear  Sir:  —  You  are  aware,  I  presume,  that  a 
few  weeks  will  close  my  collegiate  life.  I  began  it 
amid  discouragements,  but  have  spent  the  whole  of 
its  allotted  season,  with  the  exception  of  a  short  pe- 
riod of  sickness,  within  college  walls.     The  days,  the 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  127 

weeks,  the  months,  and  the  years,  have  all  been  to 
me  fragrant,  like  the  flowers  of  spring.  Immediately- 
after  commencement  I  shall  have  three  months  be- 
fore me,  for  which  I  have  as  yet  no  employment 
engaged." 

Journal.  "July  12.  —  I  have  just  completed  my 
translation  of  Biot.  18.  —  Presented  the  above  work 
to  Professor  Potter,  and  received  in  payment  for  my 
services  a  sum  which  fully  satisfied  me.  Thus  won- 
derfully have  I  been  furnished  with  money  to  meet 
necessary  expenses.  24.  —  My  last  Sabbath  in  col- 
lege has  arrived;  how  shall  I  spend  it  worthily? 
Deep  repentance  and  true  contrition  should  charac- 
terize my  feelings  through  all  its  hours." 

Commencement  occurred  on  the  28th,  when  he 
graduated  with  honor. 

Aug.  17,  he  was  still  at  Schenectady,  deliberating 
as  to  where  he  should  resort  for  his  theological  edu- 
cation. His  thoughts  were  turned  toward  Andover, 
but  he  says,  "  I  am  afraid  of  the  dislike  of  eloquent 
speaking  which  is  said  to  characterize  the  faculty." 

"Sept.  10.  —  I  have  been  bidding  adieu  to  my 
friends  in  this  place.  Dr.  Nott  tells  me  that  Andover 
is  not  opposed  to  good  speaking,  though  the  gradu- 
ates are  too  generally  poor  speakers."  He  found  the 
impression  to  be  quite  strong  among  some  of  the 
Presbyterians  that  Socinianism  was  gaining  the 
ascendency  at  Andover.  "  11.  —  Took  my  leave  of 
the  sanctuary  in  whith  I  have  wasted,  I  fear,  many 
precious  opportunities.  My  last  year  has  been  the 
most  interesting  one  of  my  life." 


CHAPTER  V. 

STUDIES    THEOLOGY    AT    ANDOVER. 

Having  decided  to  pursue  theological  studies  at 
the  Andover  Seminary,  on  leaving  Schenectady 
Mr.  T.  turned  his  course  in  that  direction.  But 
much  time  was  to  elapse  before  the  opening  of  the 
term.  It  was  a  serious  question  with  him  how  the 
interim  could  be  profitably  filled.  First,  he  visited 
Hawley.  As  usual  he  there  called  on  a  number  of 
aged  persons  who  had  been  special  friends  of  his 
father.  One  of  these  was  Deacon  Ebenezer  Hall. 
"  I  enjoy  myself,"  he  says,  "  in  his  company.  His 
conversation  is  marked  by  good  sense  and  is  always 
instructive.  He  is  walking  on  the  border  of  the 
grave,  and  remarks  that  his  next  remove  will  be  to 
the  dust.  Adieu,  venerable  friend.  Perhaps  I  shall 
see  thee  no  more.  Thy  stream  seems  to  glide 
smoothly,  and  thy  bark  will,  I  trust,  safely  enter  the 
eternal  haven.  At  his  request,  I  led  in  prayer  at 
evening  worship,  and  he  in  the  morning.  After 
hearing  him  I  felt  ashamed  of  myself;  he  was  so 
devotional  and  fervent." 

Another  of  these  aged  persons  was  Deacon  Na- 
thaniel Newton,  who  had  for  years  been  very  feeble. 
Speaking  of  the  latter,  Sept.  23,  he  says^  "  To-day  I 
have  received  an  affecting  present ;  two  apples^  one 


MEMOIR    OF   REV.   0.    A.   TAYLOR.  129 

of  the  last  year's  growth,  the  other  of  this;  the 
former  shrivelled,  the  latter  plump  and  fair.  The 
old  gentleman  intended  them  as  representatives  of 
ourselves.  On  handing  them  to  me  he  remarked,  '  I 
am  old  and  bowed  down  with  infirmities,  you  wear 
the  freshness  of  youth.' "  With  reference  to  this 
present  Mr.  T.  observes,  "  Thanks  to  thee,  noble  saint, 
for  it,  never  did  I  receive  one  more  interesting.  Thy 
silver  cord  will  soon  be  loosed  and  thy  golden  bowl 
broken."  He  also  passed  a  night  with  an  aged  rela- 
tive of  his  father.  "  She  wept  when  I  mentioned  the 
success  of  the  gospel  among  seamen ;  remarking  that 
many  of  her  acquaintances  had  lived  and  died  at 
sea  without  the  Bible.  She  added,  *  1  do  not  know 
that  we  ever  thought  that  seamen  could  be  con- 
verted.' " 

Having  lingered  a  few  days  in  Hawley,  Mr.  T. 
went  to  Andover,  entered  the  Seminary  and  then 
made  a  tour  to  Yarmouth,  the  place  of  his  nativity. 
It  was  with  peculiar  pleasure  that  he  entered  the 
abode  of  his  grandfather  Alden,  and  beheld  the 
scenes  with  which  his  parents  had  been  familiar, 
but  he  says,  "  T  am  obliged  to  spend  too  much  time 
in  a  place ;  and  I  am  greatly  perplexed  for  want  of 
money.  Where  shall  it  be  found  ?  Upon  whom 
can  I  depend  for  aid  ?  These  are  questions  which 
only  God  can  answer.  I  feel  that  I  ought  to  have 
taught  school  for  three  months.  The  close  confine- 
ment, however,  would  have  been  injurious  to  my 
health.  I  shall  be  distressed  for  means,  in  the  prose- 
cution of  my  studies,  and  be  obliged  to  waste  much 
time  before  I  can  enter  upon  them.  I  think  that  I 
enjoy  something  of  a  spirit  of  prayer,  and  can,  in 


130  MEMOIR    OP 

a  measure,  rely  upon  God  to  make  my  way  pros- 
perous. 

"Oct.  11,  1825.  —  Walked  out  and  took  my  seat 
on  a  rock,  where  I  meditated  and  wrote,  and  felt  as 
if  I  could  pour  out  my  heart  in  supplications.  I 
trust  the  mercy-seat  will  illumine  my  way.  20.  — 
Saw  the  cane  which  Peregrine  White  once  owned. 
Visited,  also,  a  rock  on  the  shore  of  Bass  River 
where  my  father  and  his  brothers  were  accustomed 
to  join  in  youthful  sports.  Entered,  likewise,  the 
house  erected  on  the  site  of  my  father's  birthplace. 
Went  down  to  the  identical  spot  where  my  uncle 
Isaac  T.  was  drowned." 

He  attended  an  association  of  ministers,  at  Well- 
fleet,  and  was  impressed  with  the  idea  that  there 
is  need  of  many  more  faithful  preachers  of  the 
gospel.  In  the  society  of  his  grandfather,  then 
about  ninety  years  of  age,  he  took  great  delight. 
"  As  I  was  passing  by  the  old  parsonage  one  day,  in 
company  with  him,  I  inquired  if  he  did  not  fre- 
quently meditate  on  the  happy  hours  there  spent? 
Yes,  he  replied,  and  often  with  sorrow,  too,  in  think- 
ing that  they  glided  away  no  better  improved." 
While  at  Yarmouth  he  wrote  to  his  mother. 

"  Tender  and  affectionate  Parent  :  —  Since 
leaving  you,  I  have  frequently  thought  of  our  last 
farewell.  I  remember  your  fears  on  account  of  my 
health.  Then,  too,  I  occasioned  you  a  brief  embar- 
rassment by  forgetting  my  keys.  To  cut  a  long 
story  short,  I  will  say  that  I  have  been  pretty  well, 
though  compelled  to  ride  all  one  day  in  the  rain. 
From  the  State  House,  in  Boston,  I  obtained  a  fine 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  131 

view  of  the  city.  A  very  hearty  welcome  was  given 
me  in  this  place.  My  journey  from  college  here, 
though  entertaining,  has  proved  too  expensive  for  my 
little  stock  of  money.  I  need,  at  this  moment,  one 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  ;  and  yet  I  have  only  about 
a  dozen.  But  though  I  am  limited  in  pecuniary 
means,  and  oppressed  with  an  almost  overwhelming 
sense  of  inherent  vileness,  do  not  suppose,  mother, 
that  I  forget  where  to  resort.  I  earnestly  look  for 
divine  aid,  not  unmindful,  however,  of  the  ancient 
fable,  —  *  The  man  who  calls  upon  Jupiter  must  put 
his  own  shoulder  to  the  wheel.'  My  home  is  with 
uncle  Oliver,  whose  kindness  to  me  is  constant  and 
great.  He  and  aunt  L.  would  not  suffer  me  to  want 
were  it  in  their  power  to  assist  me.  Grandfather  has 
made  calls  with  me,  leaning  on  my  arm.  Such  a 
privilege,  he  says,  he  once  never  expected  to  enjoy." 

It  was  diiring  this  visit  that  Mr.  T.  began  with 
great  zeal  to  trace  out  his  paternal  lineage.  This 
work  employed  his  attention  more  or  less,  for  years, 
until  he  felt  that  he  had  become  master  of  all  the 
main  facts  relative  to  the  history  of  his  father's  an- 
cestors since  their  settlement  in  America.  Those  on 
the  maternal  side  —  the  Aldens  —  had  already  re- 
ceived no  little  attention  from  his  uncle  Timothy. 

Journal.  "  Yarmouth,  Nov.  9,  1825.  —  I  am  wait- 
ing for  wind  and  tide.  My  friends  here  have  been 
very  kind  to  me.  Grandfather  has  presented  me 
with  some  of  his  own  poetry,  composed  for  myself. 
In  return  I  have  given  him  a  farewell,  in  verse." 
Having  reached  Boston,  in  reference  to  the  voyage 


132  MEMOIR    OF 

which  required  an  unusual  amount  of  time,  he  says : 
"  It  seems  that  never  did  a  miserable  creature  before 
suffer  from  sea-sickness  as  I  did,  in  this  short  trip. 
Such  was  my  distress,  that  gladly  would  I  have  been 
placed  upon  any  island  of  the  ocean.  I  do  not 
believe  that  I  ever  could  endure  a  long  passage  by 
sea.  12.  —  Reached  Andover  about  3,  p.  m.,  and  am 
located  in  a  cold  north-east  fourth  story  room,  in 
Phillips  Hall.  There  were  but  three  rooms  remain- 
ing from  which  I  could  make  a  selection." 

It  will  be  remembered  that  before  leaving  college, 
Mr.  T.  had  heard  that  a  certain  doctrinal  error  was 
having  an  ascendency  at  Andover.  Alluding  to  the 
first  sermon  which  he  heard  in  the  Seminary,  he 
remarks :  "  I  think  it  was  designed  to  convince  new- 
comers that  Unitarianism  is  not  the  religion  of  this 
institution." 

Young  men  of  sincere  piety  have  often  found 
themselves,  when  entering  upon  the  study  of  theol- 
ogy, greatly  perplexed  in  regard  to  their  spiritual 
state.  They  have  felt  themselves  on  holy  ground,  and 
shuddered  at  their  own  want  of  fitness  ^or  occupying 
such  a  position.  God  grant  it  may  always  be  thus. 
It  will  be  a  sad  day  for  Zion,  if  theological  semina- 
ries ever  become  as  devoid  of  sacredness  as  are 
sometimes  the  schools  of  medicine  and  law. 

Nov.  15  he  writes,  "  I  feel  myself  destitute  of  relig- 
ion, and  unworthy  of  being  regarded  as  a  divinity 
student.  A  want  of  money,  too,  distresses  me.  I 
have  no  friends  to  whom  I  can  resort.  May  I  be 
enabled  to  confide  in  that  Being,  who  can,  if  he 
please,  open  for  me  some  bountiful  hand." 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  133 

Writing  to  a  friend,  Nov.  19,  he  says :  — 

"  It  is  now  just  a  week  since  I  arrived  at  this 
Seminary,  and  much  of  the  intervening  time  has 
been  occupied  in  preparing  my  room.  T  think 
Andover  to  be  a  lovely  place.  Here  all  are  pro- 
fessed brothers.  I  believe  there  is  much  Chris- 
tian love  among  us.  I  feel  it  good  to  be  here,  and 
hope  Heaven  will  provide  for  my  wants  and  help  me 
in  my  studies." 

Nov.  20,  he  speaks  of  being  relieved  in  mind  from 
the  distress  which  he  had  felt  in  view  of  his  pecuni- 
ary destitution,  though  the  cause  of  his  embarrass- 
ment continued.  So  unsatisfactory  to  himself  was 
the  state  of  his  religious  feelings  at  this  time,  that  he 
determined  never  to  enter  the  ministry,  should  there 
be  no  favorable  change  in  them.  He  felt  himself  lost ; 
and  could  only  hope  that  God  might,  in  sovereignty, 
appear  for  him.  Means  of  self-renovation  seemed 
wholly  unavailing. 

In  the  early  part  of  December,  he  addressed  a  line 
to  his  faithful  friend.  Rev.  Mr.  Shepard,  asking  a 
loan  of  money.  Mr.  S.  replied  very  kindly,  and 
proposed  to  lend  him  a  certain  amount  as  soon  as  it 
could  be  obtained,  and  furthermore,  offered  at  once  to 
stand  as  security  for  a  limited  amount  of  indebted- 
ness. "  Do  not  permit  yourself,"  writes  Mr.  S.,  "  to 
suffer  for  the  want  of  any  thing  which  money  will 
buy,  without  letting  me  know.  I  shall  be  happy  to 
hear  from  you  every  opportunity." 

Journal.  "  Dec.  11,  1825.  —  I  have  joined  several 
societies,  among  which  are  the   Lockhart  and  .the 

12 


134  MEMOIR    OF 

Oratorical.  Am  wandering  on  the  dark  mountains 
of  sin,  yet  have  longings  for  my  Saviour's  presence, 
and  feel  determined  to  seek  him.  I  would  fly  to 
him.  My  Sabbaths  are  becoming  more  interesting 
to  me.  1  desire  to  know  that  I  am  the  Lord's,  and 
to  be  wholly  consecrated  to  him.  I  am  afraid  that 
Christians,  in  general,  do  not  live  for  Christ,  as  they 
ought.  Alas  I  I  am  conscious  of  not  having  prayed 
sufficiently  for  my  brothers  and  sisters.  How  cheer- 
ing it  would  be  to  hear  of  their  conversion !  May 
God  change  their  hearts !  I  ought  to  do  much  to 
honor  the  Lord.  31.  —  Long  for  a  letter  from  home. 
Here  closes  another  week  and  another  year.  Un- 
profitably,.  I  fear,  do  I  end  them  both. 

"Jan.  1, 1826.  —  Shall  I  eventually  be  of  the  great 
number  seen  by  John  in  vision  about  the  throne  ? 
Jesus,  be  thou  my  surety.  5.  —  Six  years  have 
glided  away  since  my  father  entered  upon  his 
heavenly  rest.  23.  —  After  having  sent  four  or  five 
times  to  Boston,  for  a  package  which  I  was  expect- 
ing from  Hawley,  I  have,  at  length,  received  it.  I 
am  disappointed  that  it  contains  no  money.  Surely, 
had  the  donors  known  how  I  am  situated,  they 
would  have  raised  enough  to  secure  the  making  up 
of  the  garments  for  which  they  have  kindly  sent  the 
materials.  I  must  look  to  God,  the  giver  of  all  good. 
But  what  a  contrast  would  there  be  in  my  feelings, 
had  I  received  a  few  dollars!  I  am  moneyless. 
This  evening,  the  whole  seminary  meet  in  circles  to 
pray  for  Harvard  College." 

"Jan.  28,  1826. 

"  Dear  Mother  :  —  This  afternoon  I  went  to  the 
tailor  to  inquire  if  he  would  make  up,  on  trusty  the 


REV.   OLIVER   A.   TAYLOR.  135 

cloth  which  my  Hawley  friends  have  sent  me,  and 
he  agrees  to  do  it.  Therefore,  in  the  course  of  next 
week  I  may  enjoy  a  new  suit.  I  am  pleased  with 
the  material.  It  tenderly  affects  me  to  think  of  the 
kindness  shown  me.  Assure  the  generous  donors 
that  their  gift  came  most  opportunely,  and  has  greatly 
cheered  me.  Do  my  brothers  and  sisters  exert  them- 
selves to  discipline  their  minds  ?  I  desire  them  to  be 
ambitious  in  this  respects  Were  it  in  my  power  I 
would  make  you  all  happy.  The  intelligence  of  Mr. 
Rowland  Stiles's  death  has  deeply  affected  me.  We 
were  associates  in  childhood.  May  his  father's 
family  improve  the  solemn  warning !  In  regard  to 
my  present  situation,  I  can  say  that  I  am  grat- 
ified with  it.  I  hope  my  spiritual  state  improves. 
Every  object  here  has  the  aspect  of  sacredness.  The 
students  constitute  a  brotherhood." 

To  a  brother,  Jan.  29,  1826. 

,  "  Were  you  a  Christian,  and  determined  to  spend 
your  life  for  Jesus,  every  thing  would  favor  your 
obtaining  an  education.  In  that  case,  how  happy 
should  I  be  in  directing  you!  Pray  for  yourself. 
Pray  for  your  brothers  and  sisters.  I  try  to  pray  for 
you,  and  hope  that  you  will  yet  become  a  disciple  of 
Jesus.  Recollect  that  all  depends,  under  the  blessing 
of  God,  upon  your  own  exertions.  Be  kind  to  our 
mother,  and  Heaven  bless  you." 

To  Rev.  J.  Grout,  same  date. 

"  Dear    Sir  :  —  By   recent   letters    I   hear   of  an 
awakening  in  a  part  of  Hawley.    This  is  good  news. 


136  MEMOIR    OF 

God's  spirit  is  now  doing  wonders  in  various  sec- 
tions of  our  country.  Colleges  are  beginning  to 
rejoice  in  revivals,  as  you  have  doubtless  heard. 
The  attention  of  churches  ought  specially  to  be 
directed  to  these  institutions.  For  three  years  past, 
a  day  has  been  yearly  set  apart  as  one  of  fasting 
and  prayer  for  them.  The  brethren  in  this  seminary 
have  become  so  aroused  to  the  importance  of  this 
cause,  that  they  are  addressing  the  pastors  of 
churches,  hoping  to  excite  a  deeper  interest  among 
Christians  on  this  great  subject.  The  day  set  apart, 
you  are  aware,  is  the  last  Thursday  in  February.  I 
will  not,  dear  Sir,  imply  so  much  distrust  of  your 
zeal  and  judgment  as  to  extend  my  suggestions ;  I 
have  thought  it  not  improper  to  lay  the  case  before 
you.  Perhaps  the  day  has  been  already  observed  by 
your  people ;  if  so,  my  letter  will  do  no  injury." 

Journal.  "  March  1,  1826.  — ^  Spring's  opening  I 
again  hail.  It  brings  joy  to  me.  Its  cheering 
return  I  love,  and  tender  it  my  grateful  salutations. 
6.  —  It  has  been  announced  in  the  seminary  that 
brother  Pomeroy,  of  the  senior  class,  died  this  morn- 
ing, in  Boston.  He  was  president  of  our  Rhetorical 
Society.  I  admired  his  modesty  and  meekness. 
13.  —  Am  cast  down  with  my  poverty.  I  called  this 
morning  on  Prof.  Stuart,  and  asked  him  if  he  could 
provide  employment  for  me  in  the  ensuing  vacation. 
His  reply  was  very  cheering.  H!e  said  perhaps  he 
should  receive  me  into  his  own  family.  I  fear  that 
I  expressed  myself  too  freely.  16.  —  Was  blessed 
with  a  spirit  of  prayer  in  the  early  part  of  the  day, 
but  afterwards  found  myself  almost  destitute  of  it. 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  137 

The  Lord  has  appeared  for  my  soul,  of  late,  and  I 
would  be  truly  grateful.  My  ability  to  resist  temp- 
tations is  increased,  and  the  smiles  of  Jesus,  at  times, 
seem  to  rest  on  me." 

An  encouraging  opening,  for  the  vacation,  pre- 
sented itself,  and  he  apparently  was  on  the  point  of 
aiding  himself  in  regard  to  pecuniary  matters,  but 
suddenly,  again  his  prospects  were  darkened.  "  Thus, 
I  have  lost  an  opportunity  which  I  had  supposed 
secured ;  still  I  feel  sweet  resignation  to  the  will  of 
God.  He  made  my  gourd  to  grow,  and  he  has 
caused  it  to  wither.  I  have  prayed  for  humility.  My 
prospects,  I  fear,  had  elated  me.  This  experience 
will  lead  me  to  rely  more  on  the  Lord,  who  has  never 
forsaken  me.  The  future  appears  dark,  yet  I  am 
confiderrt  that  he,  who  is  infinite  Light,  can  illumine 
this  darkness." 

His  first  vacation  in  the  seminary  was  spent  in 
circulating  a  new  Reference  Bible,  prepared  by  Rev. 
Hervey  Wilbur.  He  entered  upon  this  employment, 
not  from  any  congeniality  in  his  feelings  with  the 
agency,  but  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  pecuniary 
assistance,  and  with  the  hope,  at  the  same  time,  of 
doing  good.  The  vacation  was  thus  rendered  ser- 
viceable to  him  in  these  respects,  nor  was  it  other- 
wise without  its  use  to  him.  Passing  a  Sabbath  in 
a  large  and  flourishing  village,  he  attended,  half  a 
day,  upon  the  worship  of  an  unevangelical  congre- 
gation, and  heard  a  sermon  from  one  who  ranked 
among  the  most  distinguished  preachers  of  that  sect. 
Mr.  T.'s  account  of  the  sermon  is  here  presented  to 
the  reader :  "  I  heard  a  dissertation,  or  exhortation, 
or  adversation,  on  morality.  The  discourse  this 
12* 


138  MEMOIR    OF 

afternoon,  chilled  my  soul ;  I  watched  my  feelings 
for  the  purpose  of  guarding  against  the  prejudices  of 
education  ;  but,  ah !  there  was  no  solemn  confession 
of  sin ;  no  appearance  of  humility ;  no  intimation 
that  the  preacher's  experience  and  principles  were  at 
variance  with  those  of  the  world.  Though  the  text 
was  taken  from  the  Bible,  the  discourse  was  not 
framed  in  accordance  with  that  book.  A  polished 
heathen  could  have  uttered  all  which  fell  from  the 
speaker's  lips.  Nor  was  there  any  thing  like  serious- 
ness in  the  assembly.  I  felt  as  if  the  preacher  were 
trying  to  blindfold  his  hearers,  to  stop  their  ears, 
harden  their  hearts,  and  render  them  wholly  callous 
to  divine  teachings.  O,  God !  let  what  I  have  heard 
this  afternoon  drive  me  to  my  Bible  and  to  my 
Saviour,  with  renewed  devotion ! 

"  Christ  has  been  precious  to  me  for  many  weeks 
past.  When  weary  with  travelling,  and  sick  with  see- 
ing the  miseries  of  man,  I  have  had  much  delight  in 
going  to  Jesus."  Once,  speaking  of  having  felt,  at 
the  close  of  the  week,  that  he  had  sadly  transgressed 
God's  law  during  the  flight  of  the  previous  six  days, 
he  remarks :  "  But  I  will  try  to  come  anew  to  the 
Redeemer.  I  still  hope  he  is  my  friend ;  now  would 
I  renew  my  vows  to  be  his,  and  implore  his  aid  in  my 
labors.  May  I  be  prospered  if  it  be  for  the  divine 
glory ;  but  may  I  be  resigned  to  Providential  order- 
ings,  however  adverse  they  may  seem ! "  One  day 
he  made  this  record :  "  I  conversed  nearly  an  hour, 
with  a  professed  infidel.  He  laughed  at  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  especially  at  what  they  say  of  God.  In 
concluding  our  interview,  I  told  him  the  trouble  with 
him  lay  in  his  own  heart." 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  139 

To  his  sister  Sarah. 

"An clover,  June  13,  1826. 

"My  dear  S.  :  —  I  have  just  returned  to  the 
seminary,  worn  down  with  the  fatigues  of  a  vaca- 
tion ;  and  my  studies  so  press  upon  me  that  I  am 
poorly  qualified  to  write  you ;  and  yet  I  feel  that  a 
letter  is  your  due.  Since  the  close  of  the  term  I 
have  been  much  in  contact  with  a  guilty,  troublesome 
world.  Yes,  dear  sister,  Jesus  is  scoffed  at ;  the  cross 
is  still  a  stumbling-block.  Multitudes  sneer  at  relig- 
ion and  rush  madly  on  to  death.  Keep,  oh  keep 
yourself  uninjured  by  the  things  of  time.  Recollect 
that  this  life,  with  its  charms  and  miseries,  is  swiftly 
passing  away.  I  hope  you  improved  the  sickness  of 
our  brother  T.,  by  much  solemn  reflection,  examina- 
tion, and  prayer.  Only  a  short  time  since,  while  in 
Boston,  I  was  invited  to  visit  a  person  on  a  sick-bed. 
She  said  she  once  belonged  to  a  church,  but  had 
voluntarily  withdrawn  from  it.  My  attendant  and 
myself  knelt  down,  and  I  offered  prayer.  Soon  after 
we  had  left,  the  sick  person  died,  begging  for  one 
day  more  of  life.  Look,  my  sister,  upon  this  little 
picture,  and  be  admonished  by  it.  Fly  to  the  Lamb 
of  God ;  pray  earnestly,  as  if  your  all  were  at  stake. 
Remember  that  you  must  exercise  faith  in  Jesus,  or 
perish  in  sin." 

He  proposed  a  series  of  questions  to  this  sister, 
respecting  her  spiritual  interests,  and  requested  her 
to  answer  them  specifically  and  fully.  Having  re- 
ceived a  reply,  he  again  addressed  her,  July  7. 

"  Affectionate  Sister  :  —  I  am  highly  gratified 
with  the  general  appearance  of  your  letter.     I  am 


140  MEMOIR    OP 

sorry,  however,  that  you  were  not  more  specific  in 
your  answers  to  my  queries.  You  ought  to  have 
treated  each  one  distinctly.  Some  parts  of  your 
letter  seem  to  indicate  an  alarming  indifference  to 
religion.     You  speak  of  feeling  yourself  hardened  in 

sin,  which  brings  to  my  mind  the  case  of  L . 

"When  laid  on  a  sick-bed,  she  was  filled  with  the 
most  fearful  apprehensions  of  losing  her  soul.  She 
cried  for  mercy  and  for  life.  God  spared  her,  and  she 
relapsed  again  into  sin,  becoming  as  thoughtless  as 
ever.  A  friend  expostulated  with  her,  to  whom  she 
remarked,  '  I  know  that  I  am  going  to  hell ;  yet  I  am 
unmoved.  I  cannot  feel  as  I  did  when  sick.'  You, 
my  sister,  while  in  health,  are  in  danger  of  putting 
far  away  the  hour  of  your  departure.  I  find  you 
bringing  forward  the  oft-repeated  excuses  of  the  sin- 
ner's inability,  and  of  God's  decrees.  Do  you  not 
perceive,  that  were  you  to  act  in  secular  concerns  as 
you  do  in  those  which  are  sacred,  your  arms  would 
always  be  folded  in  slothful  inactivity.  Exertions 
must  be  made  in  spiritual,  not  less  than  in  common 
affairs.  God  furnishes  the  soil,  the  rain,  and  the 
sunshine ;  but  man  must  mellow  the  ground,  cast  in 
the  seed,  and  cultivate  w^hat  he  sows.  Now,  my 
sister,  would  you  be  a  Christian,  here  is  the  method 
by  which  to  become  one.  Spend,  if  possible,  half 
an  hour  both  morning  and  evening  in  secret  prayer. 
Retire  to  some  chamber,  some  closet.  Examine, 
each  time,  your  own  heart.  Seek  for  the  pardon  of 
all  your  sins,  and  give  yourself  no  peace  till  God  has 
become  your  portion.  He  will  then  be  a  father  to 
you,  giving  you  heavenly  comfort.  Should  you 
neglect  religion,  your  way  will  be  dark  and  slippery 


KEV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  141 

it  will  end  in  eternal  ruin.  Think,  then,  seriously,  of 
what  I  write ;  but  let  me  assure  you  that  infallible 
counsel  must  be  sought  from  the  Bible.  In  particu- 
lar, read  the  four  Evangelists  and  the  Acts  of  the 
Apostles.  With  many  of  the  historical  parts  of  the 
Scriptures,  I  trust,  you  are  quite  familiar  already. 
When  perusing  the  sacred  volume,  mark  in  a  book 
kept  for  the  purpose,  passages  which  seem  unintelli- 
gible, and  seek  an  explanation  from  those  persons 
who  can  assist  you.  Indeed,  you  should  read  every 
book  in  a  similar  way.  I  would  recommend  to  your 
attention  Baxter's  Call  to  the  Unconverted,  Dod- 
dridge's Rise  and  Progress,  the  Memoirs  of  David 
Brainerd  and  of  Harriet  NeweU ;  Pilgrim's  Progress 
is  also  adapted  to  your  case.  When  I  find  any  other 
good  book  on  religious  experience,  I  will  either  send 
it  to  you  or  inform  you  where  you  may  obtain  it. 
Our  mother  would  be  pleased  to  peruse  the  Memoirs 
of  Mrs.  Huntington,  lately  published ;  perhaps  they 
have  already  reached  Hawley.  I  hope  you  will  both 
read  the  Life  of  Mrs.  Graham.  The  following- 
questions  I  now  propose,  and  in  a  fortnight  please  to 
answer  them :  Do  you  believe  there  is  a  God  of  such 
a  character  as  is  described  in  the  Bible  ?  Do  you 
believe  that  sinners  can  be  reconciled  to  him  only 
through  Christ?  Have  you  experienced  such  recon- 
ciliation? Are  you  in -the  habit  of  daily  reading  the 
Scriptures,  examining  your  heart,  and  of  praying  to 
God,  with  reliance  on  his  promise  for  an  answer  ? 
What  is  your  idea  of  the  Christian  life  ?  Favor  me 
with  a  reply  to  all  these  inquiries  within  the  time 
specified  ;  and  treat  them  in  regular  order.     Tell  my 


142  MEMOIR    OF 

mother,  brothers,  and  sisters,  that  I  am  still,  still 
mindful  of  them." 

"  Theological  Seminary,  July  9,  1826. 
"  Dear  Mother  :  —  I  have  been  afflicted  for  more 
than  a  fortnight  with  a  grievous  poison,  which  I 
caught  from  what  is  vulgarly  called  dog-wood,  as  I 
was  attending,  for  amusement,  to  the  beauties  of  na- 
ture ;  I  am  now  nearly  recovered.  You  complain  of 
not  being  able  to  make  your  letters  interesting, 
when  religion  is  not  your  theme.  Of  your  unwill- 
ingness to  engage  in  any  thing  with  which  religion 
does  not  coalesce,  I  cannot  think  strange;  yet  be 
assured,  dear  parent,  it  would  please  me  much 
should  your  letters  branch  out  occasionally  on  vari- 
ous subjects.  Your  experience  has  been  great  in 
numerous  ways ;  and  it  will  be  of  service  to  me  if 
you  could  furnish  me,  from  time  to  time,  with  some 
account  of  it.  Especially  do  I  desire  you  to  write 
down,  in  a  journal,  the  striking  occurrences  in  my 
father's  history,  and  carefully  preserve  them  locked 
up  for  me." 

At  the  commencement  .of  the  temperance  reform, 
Mr.  T.  had  some  objections  to  signing  the  pledge, 
though  he  had  ever  been  opposed  to  the  use  of  intox- 
icating drinks  as  a  luxury.  Years  before  the  reform 
commenced,  he  would  utterly  decline  them  when 
offered  to  him  as  a  token  of  friendship.  An  instance 
is  remembered  when  they  were  urged  upon  him  as 
an  innocent  stimulant,  but  he  persisted  in  his  refusal, 
and  even  declared  that  to  drink  them  would  be  to 


KEY.   OLIVER    A.  TAYLOR.  143 

partake  of  poison.  The  pledge^  he^  however,  did 
sign,  and  to  the  day  of  his  death  was  its  firm 
supporter. 

To  his  mother,  Sept.  16,  1826. 

"Dear  Parent:  —  I  received  your  letter  two  or 
three  weeks  since,  and  have  delayed  to  answer  it, 
hoping  that  every  next  breeze  would  blow  me  some 
good  news  which  I  might  send  to  you.  The  past 
twelve  months  have  been  very  expensive  to  me.  I 
am  now  quite  poorly  clad.  A  vacation  is  before  me, 
but  I  have  no  prospect  of  then  earning  any  thing. 
On  the  contrary,  I  must  still  more  run  into  debt.  I 
have  given  you  an  intimation  of  my  wants,  that  you 
may  know  how  I  am  ;  but  keep  it  a  secret.  Be  not 
alarmed;  the  present  is  one  of  my  dark  times.  I 
can,  indeed,  earn  money  by  leaving  the  seminary  for 
a  year,  having  had  opportunities  for  teaching  aheady 
presented.  Yet  to  be  put  back  so  long  in  my  course 
of  studies  would  be  a  grievous  matter.  I  am  resolved 
to  go  on  with  it,  if  God  preserve  me.  To  spend  a 
few  days  with  you  would  be  pleasant,  yet  I  cannot 
go  dragging  there  on  foot.  I  should  be  glad  to  cor- 
respond more  frequently  with  my  brothers  and  sisters, 
but  the  want  of  postage-money  prevents.  I  feel  for 
them  all,  and  am  afraid  they  will  neglect  the  cultiva- 
tion of  their  minds.  I  think  much  of  T.  I  advise 
him  to  commence  the  study  of  Latin  the  coming 
winter.  Tell  him  to  take  hold  with  a  strong  hand ; 
to  commit  every  thing  perfectly,  so  that  he  shall 
never  forget  it.  Let  him  be  inattentive  to  what  peo- 
ple say  to  hinder  him.  He  should  get  Mr.  Grout  to 
direct  him.     May  our  prayers  be  offered  to  God,  in 


144  MEMOIR    OP 

the  mean  time,  for  his  conversion.  I  hope  you  will 
try  to  m-ge  him  on.  You  must,  in  your  supplica- 
tions, remember  me.  I  am  not  so  devoted  to  the 
cross  as  I  ought  to  be.  Still  I  must  request  you  to 
stand  ready  to  bid  me  God-speed  among  the  heathen ; 
for  the  question  is  often  asked,  "Who  will  go  ?  I  may 
think  it  best  to  give  myself  to  the  work.  Many  and 
powerful  appeals  have  reached  us  of  late ;  one  from 
Gordon  Hall,  who,  as  doubtless  you  have  heard,  is 
now  in  heaven." 

After  spending  a  portion  of  the  autumn  vacation 
at  Andover,  he  made  a  tour,  by  land,  to  Yarmouth. 
It  was  performed  on  foot,  as  a  matter  of  necessity. 

Leaving  Boston,  his  first  night  was  passed  in , 

"  I  did  not  enjoy  myself.  The  house  was  full  of 
noise  and  confusion.  In  one  short  hour  I  lost  more 
of  religious  feeling  by  hearing  improper  conversation, 
and  in  witnessing  irreligious  conduct,  than  I  could 
regain  in  much  time.  The  next  morning  was  rainy, 
and  indicated  a  stormy  day.  I  had  neither  umbrella 
nor  overcoat,  and  yet  being  nearly  moneyless,  I  felt 
that  I  must  proceed.  Accordingly,  I  went  on  six 
miles  in  a  drenching  rain;  then  breakfasted;  dried 
myself,  and  procured  the  loan  of  an  umbrella,  which 
I  was  to  leave  at  Plymouth."  Here  the  journal 
abrubtly  leaves  the  weary  traveller.  Many  an  hour 
did  he  spend  in  searching  the  old  records  and  grave- 
yard of  P.,  at  this  time,  and  subsequently. 

"  Andover,  Jan.  1, 1827.  —  Another  year  has  gone. 
God  of  eternal  mercy,  aid  me  in  a  review  of  the 
past,  and  assist  me  in  endeavors  to  amend  whatever 
is  wrong.     I  have  failed  to  make  such  progress  in  my 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  145 

studies  and  in  religious  feeling  as  I  ought  to  have 
made.  For  the  future  I  will  strive  to  keep  alive  that 
glowing  enthusiasm  which  is  naturally  his  who  is 
impressed  with  the  value  of  truth,  and  with  a  sense 
of  his  own  duty.  I  have  taken  too  little  exercise ; 
conversed  too  little  with  my  fellow-students,  and 
read  too  little  the  lives  of  eminent  persons."  In 
making  arrangements  for  the  year  before  him,  he 
resolves  to  rise  about  four  in  the  morning,  and 
assigns  to  the  different  hours  of  the  day  their  re- 
spective exercises.  "  I  must  regularly  attend  secret 
prayer  immediately  after  rising ;  usually  a  few  mo- 
ments after  each  meal;  and  just  before  retiring; 
also,  offer  ejaculatory  prayer  whenever  I  commence 
study." 

Jan.  7,  pouring  forth  bitter  lamentations  over  his 
own  hardness  and  vileness  of  heart,  he  affirms  that 
he  has  powerful  reasons  to  fear  himself  still  an  unbe- 
liever. "  My  distress  has  at  times  been  awful,  espe- 
cially in  the  night.  The  thought  that  a  long,  long 
eternity  awaits  me,  presses  heavily  upon  me.  I 
seem  to  be  bound  to  my  fate  by  chains  which  cannot 
be  broken."  21.  —  Prof.  Stuart  closed  a  series  of 
sermons  on  self-denial.  The  last  was  addressed  par- 
ticularly to  students.  "  To  every  word  I  pleaded 
guilty,  while  he  declared  that  many  of  us  do  not 
deny  ourselves,  and  make  that  improvement  which 
duty  demands.  24.  —  Lord,  help  me  to  renew  my 
covenant  with  thee,  day  by  day,  till  I  am  bound  so 
fast  to  thy  cross  as  never  more  to  be  severed  from 
it." 

Feb.  16.  —  A  peace  society  was  formed  in  the 
seminary,  which  he  joined,  though  he  says  he  was 
13 


146  MEMOIR    OF 

not  fully  decided  in  favor  of  all  the  points  embraced 
in  its  constitution.  "22.  —  Fast  for  colleges.  I 
have,  in  some  measure,  I  think,  enjoyed  the  presence 
of  God." 

He  received  on  the  25th  a  very  kind  communica- 
tion from  the  Albany  Presbytery,  which  brought 
several  dollars  in  money.  "  Thus  have  I  been  sud- 
denly provided  for  again.  A  few  days  since  I  was 
seemingly  the  most  destitute  of  any  person;  now 
am  supplied  by  God's  own  hand.  1  believe  this  to 
be  an  answer  to  prayer,  nor  is  it  the  only  one  of  late. 
The  Lord  has  sometimes  cheered  me  with  his  pres- 
ence ;  and  when  he  stands  by  me  I  feel  strong.  But, 
oh !  I  am  too  full  of  ambition." 

Under  date  of  March  14,  having  listened  to  letters 
from  Palestine,  he  remarks :  "  May  I  be  ready  when- 
ever the  Lord  calls ;  here  am  I,  send  me.  It  is  a 
subject  which  much  occupies  my  mind.  The  allure- 
ments of  science  present  not  the  least  obstacle  to  my 
going  on  a  mission.  All  is  inferior  to  the  love  of 
God.  If  this  really  fill  my  heart,  I  shall  have  no 
difficulty  in  determining  my  duty." 

Extracts  from  a  letter  to  his  mother,  written  in 
Boston,  May  7,  1827. 

"  While  sinners  are  flocking  to  Christ,  are  my  dear 
brothers  and  sisters  to  remain  unmoved?  Dear 
mother,  on  us  devolves  the  duty  of  praying  for  them, 
and  of  conversing  with  them  in  regard  to  their 
immortal  souls.  The  thought  presses  upon  me  that 
I  have  in  this  respect  to  occupy  the  place  of  a  father. 
I  desire,  morning  and  evening,  to  lay  them  at  the 
feet  of  Jesus.     And  then  poor  Haw'^y!     Once  the 


REV.    OLIVER   A.   TAYLOR.  147 

Lord  had  a  vineyard  there ;  a  praying  few,  who  were 
earnest  at  the  throne  of  grace,  and  who  often  pre- 
vailed. What  has  become  of  them  ?  Have  the 
disciples  of  Jesus  forsaken  him  ?  My  dear  mother, 
allow  me  to  be  particular  with  yourself  in  this  mat- 
ter. Do  you  have  a  stated  season  of  prayer  twice  a 
day,  when  you  mention  the  case  of  your  own  town  ? 
Do  you  call  upon  your  neighbors,  converse  with  them 
on  spiritual  subjects,  and  endeavor  to  lead  them  to 
Christ? 

"  On  the  receipt  of  your  letter,  I  did  think  I  should 
spend  the  present  vacation  with  you,  but  a  way  was 
providentially  opened  for  me  to  be  usefully  employed. 
I  thank  my  friends  in  H.  for  their  timely  remem- 
brance of  me,  particularly  Mr.  Grout  for  his  letter." 

June  19  we  hear  him  uttering  such  expressions 
as  these :  "  My  dear  brothers  and  sisters,  how  glori- 
ous are  the  prospects  of  the  saint,  and  how  dismal 
those  of  the  sinner !  You  cannot  retreat  from  exist- 
ence, nor  from  the  consequences  of  sin.  O  be  wise, 
and  seek  an  interest  in  Christ.  Gladly  would  I  say 
much  to  you,  but  why  should  I  ?  Christ  has  spoken 
all  you  need  to  know,  and  if  you  refuse  to  hear  him, 
how  can  I  expect  you  will  listen  to  me  ?  My  bro- 
thers, my  sisters ;  dear,  sacred  terms !  listen  to  Him 
who  loved  us  all,  and  make  now  your  peace  with 
God." 

During  the  spring  vacation  of  this  year,  he  was 
engaged  as  a  city  missionary  in  Boston.  The  fol- 
lowing is  condensed  from  the  report  which  he  made 
at  the  close  of  his  services,  and  transmitted  to  Dr. 


148  MEMOIR    OF 

Jenks,  Secretary  of  the  Association  that  employed 
him :  — 

"  Sir  :  —  My  labors  as  a  missionary  under  the 
direction  of  the  Society  for  the  moral  and  religious 
instruction  of  the  poor  in  the  city  of  Boston,  com- 
menced May  2,  and  closed  to-day,  June  12.  Your 
committee  assigned  the  Mill-dam  and  Pleasant  street 
as  the  field  of  my  operations.  To  these  places,  with 
a  few  exceptions,  my  attention  has  been  confined.  I 
have  visited  from  house  to  house  about  three  days  in 
a  week.  In  so  doing  I  have  considered  it  of  more 
importance  to  repeat  visits,  especially  where  there 
was  a  prospect  of  doing  good,  than  to  multiply 
them.  On  such  occasions  I  have  endeavored  to  call 
the  attention  of  parents  to  the  duty  of  sending  their 
children  to  Sabbath  schools  and  to  the  house  of 
God,  also  of  their  own  attendance ;  but  especially  I 
have  aimed  to  arouse  them  to  the  concerns  of  the 
soul.  I  have  been  received,  a^  missionaries  generally 
are,  sometimes  with  reluctance,  at  others,  and  for 
the  most  part,  with  cheerfulness.  I  have  found 
children  who  do  not  attend  any  Sabbath  school,  and 
parents  who  seldom  or  never  visit  the  house  of  God. 
The  most  painful  part  of  my  task  has  been  to  meet 
continually  with  professors,  who  'concerning  faith 
have  made  shipwTCck.'  Some  have  fallen  into  very 
gross  errors.  Others,  by  various  removals  and  neg- 
lect, have  long  since  forsaken  the  communion  table. 
Having  been  forgotten  by  their  churches,  they  have 
themselves  almost  forgotten  to  what  ones  they  did 
once  belong.     When  possible,  I  have  endeavored  to 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  149 

commit  such  to  the  care  of  some  orthodox  friend 
or  minister.  It  is  impressed  on  my  mind  that  this 
class  of  persons  is  too  much  neglected.  On  the 
Mill-dam  I  have  regularly  conducted  meeting,  Sab- 
bath A.  M.  and  p.  M.,  also  on  Thursday  eve,  election 
week  excepted.  Many  and  various  difficulties  op- 
pose the  progress  of  the  gospel  in  this  place.  One 
of  these  is  the  coldness  and  remissness  of  professors. 
Some  I  hope  are  prayerful;  but  many,  like  the 
scribes  and  Pharisees  of  old,  neither  go  into  the 
kingdom  of  heaven  themselves,  nor  '  suffer  them  that 
are  entering  to  go  in.'  A  few,  I  hope,  are  awaking 
to  do  what,  they  can  by  prayer  and  example.  Uni- 
versalism  is  another  obstacle,  which  not  only  shuts 
the  mind  against  the  truth,  but  influences  the  heart 
to  oppose  it  most  bitterly.  Notwithstanding  these 
and  other  hinderances  too  numerous  to  be  mentioned, 
I  do  feel,  that  if  a  prudent,  fearless,  persevering, 
evangelical  minister,  could  soon  enter  this  field,  his 
labors  would  ere  long  be  rewarded  by  a  revival." 

To  his  mother. 

"Boston,  June  12,  1827. 
"  Affectionate  Parent  :  —  My  mission  here  is 
closed,  and  I  only  wait  for  the  stage  to  return  to 
Andover.  I  have  been  much  in  contact  with  sinners 
of  various  grades,  and  have  passed  through  trials  ; 
but  the  severest  of  all  has  been  with  my  own  sinful 
heart.  You  may  start  at  this  assertion,  and  ask  me, 
'  Do  you  find  in  yourself  a  willingness  to  depart  from 
the  living  God?  If  so,  where  is  your  foundation  for 
a  Christian  hope  ? '  I  feel  the  force  of  such  an  inter- 
rogatory. 

13* 


150  MEMOIR    OP 

"  The  past  week  has  been  taken  up  with  anni- 
versaries, and  I  can  hardly  inform  you  what  is  the 
state  of  the  revival  here.  We  think  it  is  progressing. 
Christians  are  wrestling  at  the  throne  of  grace,  and 
they  will  prevail,  for  the  Lord  of  Hosts  hath  sworn 
it.  Multitudes,  however,  in  Boston,  believe  that 
broad  is  the  way  to  heaven,  and  that  all  shall  find  it ; 
hence,  their  ears  are  deaf  to  the  truth,  their  eyes  are 
shut  to  their  danger,  their  hearts  are  wholly  insensi- 
ble. Much  of  my  time,  of  late,  has  been  spent  with 
just  such  persons ;  some  consider  the  idea  of  a  hell 
as  the  dream  of  a  disordered  brain ;  they  are  poor, 
deluded  creatures,  exposed  to  the  wrs^th  of  God. 
But  rejoice,  dear  mother ;  there  are  a  few  among  the 
poor  and  neglected,  whose  hopes  are  anchored  in 
heaven." 

"Theological  Seminary,  Aug.  9,  1827. 

"Dear  Parent: — After  a  long  silence  on  your 
part,  I  have  at  length  received  a  letter  from  you.  As 
you  have  consecrated  me  to  God,  I  must  warn  you 
to  be  prepared  for  the  decisions  of  divine  Providence. 
K  I  am  no  longer  yours,  your  heart  should  no  longer 
be  set  upon  me ;  wherever  I  am  called  to  go,  you 
should  be  ready  to  say.  Amen.  Let  your  hopes 
centre  in  God ;  and  to  him,- in  the  arms  of  prayer, 
carry  your  children.  Pray,  yes,  pray  for  me.  How 
precious  the  thought  that  I  have  one  friend  to  pray 
for  me !  I  often  feel  that  your  prayers,  tears,  and 
efforts,  are  worth  worlds ;  still,  therefore,  pray  for  me. 
My  chief  object  in  writing  to  you  at  this  time,  is  to 
inform  you  that  I  am  about  to  leave  the  seminary 
for  one  year.     It  has  cost  me  a  conflict  to  come  to 


REV.    OLIVER   A.   TAYLOR.  151 

such  a  decision ;  but  I  have  bowed  to  what  I  think 
God's  will.  I  should  have  consulted  you  could  I 
conveniently  have  done  it.  I  have  become  involved 
in  debt  by  remaining  here  two  years,  and  I  hope  by 
teaching  one  year,  I  may  do  something  to  liquidate 
this  indebtedness." 

Before  commencing  his  school  he  made  an  excur- 
sion to  Hawley,  returning  about  the  1st  of  Septem- 
ber ;  and  soon  after,  he  left  for  Gloucester.  During 
the  trip  just  named,  he  passed  a  day  and  a  night  at 
Plainiield ;  speaks  of  an  interesting  visit  with  Rev. 
Mr.  Hallock,  of  that  town ;  of  their  praying  together 
in  the  woods.  In  reference  to  a  communion  season, 
in  H.,  he  observes  :  "  Hope  I  felt  something  of  God's 
presence,  and  was  more  willing  to  say  with  Job, 
*  Though  he  slay  me  yet  will  I  trust  in  him.'  "  At 
that  time  he  engaged  to  pray  for  a  number  of  per- 
sons, whose  names  he  recorded  in  his  journal. 

The  10th  of  Sept.,  1827,  Mr.  T.  commenced  teach- 
ing at  Gloucester,  and  on  the  23d  of  the  same  month, 
he  wrote  thus  to  his  mother :  — 

"  A  few  weeks  since,  I  was  at  the  seminary,  antici- 
pating no  change  till  my  term  of  study  there  should 
be  completed.  Perhaps  I  do  not  know  why  I  have 
been  sent  here,  but  I  think  I  can  see  the  hand  of  God 
in  it.  I  hope  to  imitate  Paul,  who  was  content  in 
whatever  situation  he  might  be.  My  school  is  as 
pleasant  as  I  anticipated.  It  gives  me  pain  that  my 
brothers  and  sisters  cannot  enjoy  the  privileges  of 
study,  which  my  pupils  have.     I  hope  you  will  write 


152  MEMOIR    OF 

me  immediately,  informing  me  whether  the  Rev. 
Jonas  King  has  yet  returned  from  Palestine  to 
Hawley." 

October  28  he  wrote  to  Mrs.  Sarah  W.  Matthews, 
of  Yarmouth,  his  mother's  only  sister. 

"  Dear  Aunt  :  —  Not  long  since,  my  uncle  Oliver 
informed  me  of  your  husband's  death.  I  should 
have  immediately  written  you  a  letter  of  sympathy, 
had  I  not  been  engaged  in  preparing  a  Sabbath 
school  address.  I  am  aware  that  words  alone  can- 
not heal  a  wounded  heart.  You  profess  to  be  a  fol- 
lower of  Christ,  and  you  know  how  comforting  is 
the  assurance  concerning  such  as  truly  love  God. 
All  things  work  together  for  their  good.  Accept,  my 
dear  friend,  of  my  best  wishes  that  Jesus  will  com- 
fort you,  and  that  your  bereavement  may  result  in 
your  greater  joy  above." 

November  17  he  wrote  to  Mr.  Josiah  Lyman, 
Charlemont,  Massachusetts. 

"  Dear  Friend  :  —  At  length  I  attempt  to  fulfil 
my  engagement  to  write  you.  It  ought  to  have  been 
done  long  since,  and  would  have  been  if  the  will 
were  the  act.  The  other  particular  promised,  though 
wretchedly  performed,  has  not  been  altogether  neg- 
lected.* There  is  a  pleasure  in  the  idea  of  being 
remembered  at  the  throne  of  grace  by  a  Christian 
friend.  I  know  from  experience  that  there  are  times 
when  the  prayer  of  such  a  friend  is  worth  worlds. 

*  Allusion  is  here  made  to  their  pledge  to  pray  daily  for  each  other. 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  153 

"  You  will,  doubtless,  wish  to  know  something  of 
my  present  situation  and  of  the  state  of  my  feelings. 
The  sanctuary  which  I  frequent  was  built  in  1738. 
It  is  very  large,  and  was  probably  once  filled  with 
serious  listeners  and  fervent  Christians,  though  I 
suppose  there  has  been  no  revival  here  since  the 
great  one  in  the  time  of  President  Edwards.  Now 
many  pews  are  always  empty.  But  this  is  not  all. 
Near  us  is  a  meeting-house  filled  Sabbath  after  Sab- 
bath with  those  who  declare  positively  that  this  life 
has  no  connection  with  the  life  to  come.  Yet  things 
look  far  more  hopeful  than  they  did  years  ago. 
Means  are  used  to  bring  as  many  of  the  inhabitants 
as  possible  into  contact  with  the  word  of  God.  Five 
miles  to  the  north  of  us  there  is  a  powerful  revival ;  six 
or  eight  miles  to  the  south  of  us  another.  "  Dear  bro- 
ther, pray  for  us  every  Sabbath  morning ;  pray  that 
God  may  be  glorified  here.  A  revival  would  make  the 
Universalist  church  in  this  place  shake  to  its  centre. 

"  You  may  well  suppose  that  my  situation  is  not 
one  of  ease  nor  always  of  religious  enjoyment.  I 
do  feel  that  there  is  ever  a  throne  of  grace  erected 
for  me,  and  occasionally  I  seem  to  get  near  it.  But 
much  of  my  time  runs  to  waste.  My  heart  is  not 
always  kept,  and  yet  a  Christian  must  keep  his  heart. 
Every  thought,  every  motive  should  be  pure.  If  one 
sinful  emotion  is  willingly  indulged,  we  have  reason 
to  fear  that  all  our  religion  is  vain.  It  is  evident, 
then,  that  at  all  times  we  are  to  be  watchful  over 
ourselves.  Our  love  to  God  must  lead  us  to  watch. 
That  love  which  inclines  us  to  serve  God  in  one 
thing  will  make  us  faithful  in  all  respects.  It  is  dif- 
ficult to  be  a  Christian  when  our  love  is  weak.     One 


154  MEMOIR    OP 

enemy  is  scarcely  subdued  before  others  rise  up  in  its 
stead.  But  how  short  is  the  contest,  how  glorious 
the  reward !  A  few  days,  at  most  a  few  years,  and 
the  conflict  is  ended  forever.  Let  us  make  this  the 
burden  of  our  prayers :  '  Create  in  me  a  clean  heart, 

0  God,  and  renew  a  right  spirit  within  me.' 

"  Two  of  my  Andover  brethren  have  been  called 
to  their  final  account  of  late.  Things  in  the  semi- 
nary are,  I  am  informed,  in  a  solemn  and  interesting 
state.  Others  of  my  brethren,  as  you  doubtless 
know,  are  now  on  their  way  to  the  Sandwich  Islands. 
Our  country  seems  still  to  be  blessed  with  the  out- 
pouring of  God's  Spirit.  Remember  me  to  your 
family  —  to  inquiring  friends.  Write  upon  the  recep- 
tion of  this.  I  hope  henceforth  to  be  a  more  faithful 
correspondent.     Yours  in  Christian  affection." 

To  his  mother,  Nov.  25. 

"  Dear  Parent  :  —  Yours  I  received  some  time 
since,  and  ought  to  have  answered  it ;  but  so  pressing 
are  my  duties,  that  even  my  mother  is  neglected.  I 
have  just  returned  from  a  house  of  mourning,  where 

1  prayed  with  a  large  circle  of  children,  whose  only 
parent  has  recently  died.  To  this  parent  I  had  been 
introduced ;  he  was  a  Christian,  and  died  in  the  tri- 
umphs of  faith.  In  meditating  on  his  condition,  this 
morning,  I  sang  the  hymn,  '  How  blest  is  our  friend,' 
etc.,  and  thought  of  him  as  joining  with  the  choir 
above ;  but  scarcely  had  I  returned  to  my  room, 
when  my  thoughts  dropped  from  heaven  to  earth. 
My  conflict  is  not  yet  complete.  At  times  I  feel 
almost  as  if  I  were  entering  the  celestial  land.  Still, 
I  think  it  doubtful  whether  I  ever  reach  it.     Be  faith- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  155 

ful,  my  mother ;  you  may  have  nearly  finished  your 
course.  Endure  to  the  end,  and  through  Christ 
you  shall  receive  a  crown." 

"December  26,  1827. 
"  Dear  Mother  :  —  I  have  recently  spent  two  days 
in  Boston,  and  was  obliged  to  tear  myself  away  from 
friends  there,  when  I  returned.  You  complain  of 
brevity  in  my  letters.  My  numerous  and  pressing 
duties  are  my  apology.  In  religion,  I  am  '  of  little 
faith.'  I  can,  however,  sometimes  with  tears,  repeat 
these  lines  of  Cowper,  '  I  was  a  stricken  deer,'  etc. 
Very  often,  too,  is  poor  Christian's  situation  brought 
to  my  mind.  '  When  he  sought  in  the  dark  to  shun  the 
ditch  on  the  one  hand,  he  was  ready  to  tip  over  into 
the  river  on  the  other.'  There  is  danger  of  mistaking 
a  love  of  salvation  for  a  love  of  Christ.  We  have 
all  been  poisoned  with  sin.  I  find  the  old  infection 
continually  breaking  out  anew.  When  I  begin  to 
think  it  is  cured,  suddenly  I  have  new  proof  that  it 
still  inheres  to  my  soul.  Repentance  and  humilia- 
tion are  works  which  I  have  to  repeat  again  and 
again.  In  respect  to  the  missionary  cause,  my  mind 
remains  as  it  was  when  I  saw  you." 

To  Rev.  J.  Grout,  Feb.  23,  1828. 

"Dear  Sir:  —  The  object  of  this  letter  is  to  make 
special  inquiries  concerning  my  brother  T.,  who,  I 
suppose,  is  reciting  to  you  in  Virgil,  the  present  win- 
ter. Has  he  sufficient  talent  and  diligence  to  make 
a  good  scholar?  Does  he  give  evidence  of  true 
piety  ?  Be  pleased,  dear  Sir,  to  favor  me  in  due 
time,  with  a  reply  to  these  questions.     There  has 


156  MEMOIR    OF 

been  no  great  change  in  the  spiritual  state  of  affairs 
in  this  place,  of  late.  Some  revivals  are  enjoyed  in 
this  immediate  vicinity.  I  hope  and  pray  that  H. 
may  ere  long  be  blessed  with  a  shower  of  divine 
grace." 

"March  9,  1828. 

"  Dear  Parent  :  —  Yesterday  I  closed  my  second 
quarter.  My  school  has  thus  far  gone  on  very  pleas- 
antly. I  have  just  returned  from  a  very  full  public 
Bible  exercise,  having  spoken  from  the  first  part  of 
the  third  chapter  of  the  first  epistle  of  John.  I  feel 
myself  quite  a  drone  in  the  service  of  God.  My 
health,  about  which  you  seem  solicitous,  is  quite 
good.  Your  account  of  special  religious  interest  in 
H.  is  very  encouraging.  Persevere,  my  mother,  in 
prayer,  and  a  rich  blessing  will  descend.  What  God 
has  promised  he  will  perform.  Say  to  aunt  Ruth 
that  I  desire  to  see  her.  Ask  cousin  Sarah,  for  me, 
whether  she  still  forgets  the  one  thing  needful." 

April  3  (Fast-day)  he  wrote  again  to  Mr.  Lyman, 
and  dwelling  at  some  length  on  the  importance  of 
fast-days,  he  says :  "  Some  persons  are  disposed  to 
inquire  whether  it  be  necessary  to  a  due  observance 
of  such  days  to  abstain  from  food,  I  answer  that 
such  abstinence  avails  nothing  if  the  heart  be  not 
right,  and  that  if  this  be  right  we  shall  have  such 
views  of  ourselves  as  will  cast  us  down  at  the  mercy- 
seat  in  fasting  and  humiliation.  In  this  case  fasting 
will  be  a  necessary  result  of  a  right  frame  of  mind. 
You  probably  agree  with  me  as  to  the  manner  of 
spending  a  fast-day,  viz.  in  self-examination,  reading 
the  Bible,  etc.      Ps.  li.,  Isa.  Iviii.,  and  Dan.  ix.  are 


t 
REV.    OLIVER   A.    TAYLOR.  157 

peculiarly  appropriate ;  also  the  account  of  Christ's 
sufferings. 

"  My  friend,  but  few  among  us  have  thus  spent 
this  day.  The  Universalists  have,  indeed,  attended 
meeting,  but  they  returned  and  played  ball.  Every 
view  I  take  of  this  people  more  and  more  impresses 
me  with  a  sense  of  their  bad  condition.  Listen  to 
the  history  of  my  school-room.  In  the  room  ad- 
joining it,  Capt. died  the  other  day.     He  was 

not  afraid  to  die,  was  a  Universalist,  yet  he  had 
borne  no  good,  and  much  evil  fruit.  This  man's 
father  died  in  the  same  room.  When  struck  with 
death,  twenty-four  hours  previous  to  his  decease,  he 
sent  for  his  wife,  who  had  not  lived  with  him  for  six 
months.  She  laughed  at  his  fears  of  death ;  told 
him  there  was  nothing  after  it.  He  spent  the  rem- 
nant of  his  time  in  crying  with  a  loud  voice,  '  Jesus 
Christ  have  mercy  on  me.'  She  died  some  time  after 
in  my  school-room.  Just  before  her  last  breath  her 
dream  of  security  was  broken.  She  sent  for  the 
Universalist  preacher,  entreated  him  to  pray  for  her 
soul,  and  died  in  the  agonies  of  despair.  Oh,  my 
brother,  how  dreadful  will  be  the  fall  of  those  who 
build  on  the  sand.  Still  pray  that  this  may  not  be 
the  case  with  your  unworthy  correspondent." 

"April  5,  1828. 

"Dear  Brother  T.:  — You  have,  I  know,  long 
anxiously  expected  a  letter  from  me ;  and  have,  per- 
haps, concluded  yourself  forgotten.  You  are  not; 
but  at  present  I  do  not  know  of  any  means  by 
which  I  may  enable  you  to  study.  I  did  once  think 
that  I  might  provide  for  you  here,  under  my  own  eye. 
14 


158  MEMOIR    OF 

My  expenses,  however,  are  multiplying  on  every  side, 
and  I  shall  scarcely  be  able  to  pay  one  half  of  the 
debts  which  I  thought  I  should,  at  the  close  of  my 
school.  I  have  hoped  that  you  would  give  your 
heart  to  God.  Of  this  I  have  said  but  little  to  you, 
having  refrained  lest  you  might  be  influenced  to  act 
the  part  of  a  hypocrite,  which  I  would  not  have  you 
do  for  worlds.  By  autumn,  I  trust,  a  door  will  open 
for  you.  But  do  not  feel  too  anxious.  I  assure  you 
that  I  have  looked  with  pain  at  some  of  my  conduct 
when  I  was  of  your  age.  I  was  not  sufficiently 
resigned  to  the  will  of  God ;  and  the  reflection  has 
often  filled  me  with  keen  remorse.  Confide  in  the 
counsels  of  the  aged  and  experienced.  Write  freely 
to  me.  Listen  to  your  mother  and  to  Rev.  Mr. 
Grout.  Above  all  things  seek  guidance  of  God.  If 
he  do  not  bless  you  nought  can  help  you.  Make 
your  peace  with  Heaven,  and  you  shall  receive  a 
crown  of  glory." 

June  1  he  wrote  to  his  mother :  "  A  letter  w^hich  came 
to  hand  within  a  few  days,  from  uncle  Isaiah  Alden, 
informs  me  of  an  awakening  in  Meadville.  Some 
of  his  own  children,  he  writes,  appear  to  be  partakers 
of  grace.  Your  last  also  cheers  me  in  regard  to  H. 
I  rejoice  with  you ;  but  not  hearing  of  the  conver- 
sion of  my  brothers  and  sisters,  my  joy  is  mingled 
with  grief." 

To  the  same,  Aug.  18. 

"  Early  in  the  ensuing  September  my  year  in  this 
place  will  close.  In  what  way  I  shall  spend  my  time 
previous  to  the  commencement  of  the  next  term  at 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  159 

Andover,  I  am  as  yet  uncertain.  Probably  I  shall 
not  be  able  to  visit  you,  for  I  am  too  destitute  of 
money.  You  can  hardly  imagine  how  little  I  have 
felt  my  income  of  four  hundred  dollars.  I  am  still 
quite  deeply  in  debt ;  more  so  than  I  expected  to  be 
at  this  time.  You  must  act  your  own  pleasure 
about  going  to  Yarmouth.  Should  you  go,  I  will 
endeavor  to  meet  you  in  Boston,  and  perhaps  accom- 
pany you  to  Y. ;  but  this  is  uncertain.  Especially 
shall  I  desire  to  do  it,  as  grandfather  has  sent  me  a 
request  to  visit  him." 

At  the  opening  of  autumn,  he  closed  his  school  in 
G.,  and  returned  to  Andover.  The  anniversary  at 
the  seminary  did  not  occur  then  till  the  latter  part  of 
September.  "  I  know  not  what  course  Providence 
will  mark  out  for  me  during  the  vacation." 

He  finally  decided  to  visit  Yarmouth,  and  under 
date  of  Sept.  28,  says :  "  I  arrived  here.,  at  my  grand- 
father's, last  evening  about  half  past  ten,  where  I 
found  my  mother.  She  met  me  with  open  arms. 
Three  of  her  brothers  were  present.  A  prayer- 
meeting  had  been  held  that  evening,  and  closed 
before  my  arrival. 

"  Oct.  1,  1828.  —  This  morning,  as  we  were  all 
together  in  the  parlor,  conversing  in  regard  to  our 
anticipated  separation,  some  of  us  intending  to  leave 
for  Boston  to-day,  grandfather,  who  is  ninety-three 
the  fifth  of  next  December,  remarked,  *  the  thought  of 
parting  is*  gloomy ;  we  however  breathe  the  same  air, 
are  warmed  by  the  same  sun,  and  the  same  divine 
Agent  preserves  us.     Upon  the  whole,  it  matters  not 


160  MEMOIR    OF 

in  what  part  of  the  globe  we  are.'  His  memory  is 
much  impaired.     He  prayed  with  us  this  morning." 

Oct.  2,  Mr.  T.  left  Y.,  in  company  with  his  mother 
and  some  other  friends,  for  Boston.  On  the  4th,  she 
started  for  her  home,  and  he  returned  to  Andover, 
intending  to  reside  there  the  remainder  of  the  vaca- 
tion. "  7.  —  Have  conversed  with  Professor  S.  in 
regard  to  procuring  a  German  work  for  translation, 
and  received  some  encouragement.  11. —  A  letter 
from  my  mother,  yesterday,  in  which  she  informs  me 
of  her  safe  arrival  home.  She  has  had  a  lovely  visit. 
All  things  have  gone  well  with  her.  I  too  have 
reason  to  be  thankful.  19. —  If  I  have  faith  in 
Christ,  why  is  my  activity  in  his  cause  so  little? 
Why  so  unwilling  to  suffer  for  his  sake  ?  I  seldom 
get  near  the  mercy-seat.  Why  does  the  Sabbath 
find  me  so  stupid,  and  why  do  I,  on  its  sacred  hours, 
never  ascend  to  Pisgah's  summit  ? 

"  Nov.  7,  1828.  —  A  fast  observed  to-day  by  my 
class,  preparatory  to  being  licensed  to  preach  in  the 
chapel.  The  mercies  of  God,  in  bringing  me  thus 
far,  are  great."  The  class  was  licensed  in  the  even- 
ing. "  23.  —  A  letter  just  received  from  my  uncle  at 
Yarmouth,  announces  the  death  of  my  grandfather. 
It  seems  to  have  been  a  kind  direction  of  Providence, 
that  my  mother  and  myself  should  have  met  with 
him  so  recently." 

Under  the  last  date,  he  wrote  his  mother :  — 

"  The  affecting  intelligence  of  your  father's  de- 
cease, has  just  reached  me.  You,  doubtless,  have 
received  the  particulars.     My  thoughts  at  once  revert 


KEY.   OLIVER   A.   TAYLOR.  161 

to  our  pleasant  interviews  with  him  a  short  time 
since;  especially  to  the  prayer  he  offered  on  the 
morning  of  our  departure,  and  to  his  words  of  con- 
solation addressed  to  us.  God  was  very  kind  in 
permitting  you  to  see  your  aged  parent  once  more, 
while  he  stood  on  the  borders  of  Canaan.  All  earthly 
things  are  now  over  with  him;  and  how  blessed, 
hoio  blessed^  as  we  have  reason  to  hope.  You  may 
have  dropped  a  few  tears;  I  trust  they  have  been 
only  a  few,  and  those  of  resignation.  The  good 
man  came  to  his  grave  '  in  a  full  age,  like  as  a  shock 
of  corn  Cometh  in  its  season.'  What  an  event  your 
last  announces !  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rowland  Sears  both 
dead !  They  have  been  cut  off  in  the  meridian  of 
life.  Remember  me  to  the  poor  orphans,  and  may 
God  bless  them." 

Journal.  "  Jan.  1,  1829.  —  In  reviewing  the  past 
year,  I  have  mercies  to  recount,  and  sins  to  lament. 
19.  —  My  principal  works  thus  far  this  term,  have 
been  translating  '  Conversations-Lexicon,'  for  Dr. 
Lieber;  writing  an  address  for  the  Thursday  exer- 
cise; preparing  a  dissertation  on  the  eloquence  of 
Augustine  ;  composing  sermons,  etc.  25.  —  Have 
meditated  more  than  usual  to-day  upon  the  subject 
of  religion.  Read  the  tract,  '  Pres.  Edwards'  Con- 
version,' and  heard  three  sermons  from  Rev.  Mr. 
Baldwin,  of  New  York.  His  preaching  has  during 
the  whole  day  chained  my  attention.  I  have  drank 
in  divine  truth. 

"  I  have  a  right  eye  and  a  right  hand  which  offend, 
and  am  confounded  when  I  think  how  little  of  the 
Christian  I  exhibit.  Had  I  a  person  before  me, 
14* 


162  MEMOIR    OP 

whose  characteristics  should  appear  as  mine  do,  I 
should  not  hesitate  much  to  pronounce  him  an 
enemy  of  God.  27.  —  Spent  most  of  the  evening 
in  conversing  with  a  few  select  friends  on  the  subject 
of  missions.  The  question  proposed  was  :  Are  you 
ready  to  go,  or  how  do  you  stand  in  relation  to  the 
matter  ?  I  confessed  that  I  was  met  at  the  thresh- 
old by  an  alarming  difficulty,  namely,  a  doubt 
whether  I  am  a  Christian.  I  wish,  I  really  wish  I 
were  willing.  Besides  the  hinderance  aheady  stated, 
my  mother's  family  needs  my  assistance  ;  and  fur- 
thermore, such  is  the  nervousness  of  my  tempera- 
ment, that  I  do  not  believe  I  could  be  a  good  mis- 
sionary. Indeed,  a  friend  has  told  me  so,  and  advised 
me  to  give  up  all  ideas  of  entering  a  foreign  field. 

"  Feb.  8.  — Shall  I  go  to  the  Lord's  table  this  day, 
or  shall  I  not?  I  am  sensible  that  *  there  is  none 
other  name  urtder  heaven  given  among  men,  whereby 
we  must  be  saved ; '  I  know  that  it  is  my  duty  to 
celebrate  the  love  of  Christ.  I  cannot  escape  from 
the  obligation  to  do  it ;  yet  I  am  bound  to  commem- 
orate it  as  a  Christian.  God's  vows  are  upon  me, 
and  I  must  not  decline  the  observance." 

"February  26,  1829. 

"  Affectionate  Parent  :  —  Should  my  letter  seem 
hypochondriacal,  permit  me  to  say,  that  for  a  fort- 
night past  we  have  experienced  a  continual  series  of 
storms.  Much  have  I  thought  of  you,  during  this 
inclement  season ;  much  would  it  gratify  me  could  I 
be  assured  that  you  are  comfortable. 

"  We  have  just  buried  the  wife  of  Mr.  Adams,  the 
preceptor  of  the  Academy  here.     She  was  a  Chris- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  163 

tian,  and  has  left  a  large  circle  of  friends,  who  feel 
her  death  most  deeply.  Two  of  the  students  are 
now  in  mourning  for  elder  brothers ;  three  for  sisters ; 
one  for  a  father  and  a  sister ;  and  one  for  a  mother. 
Religion  is  here  at  rather  a  low  ebb,  though  general 
prosperity  prevails  in  the  seminary.  The  nearness  of 
the  time  when  some  of  us  are  to  enter  upon  the 
public  duties  of  life,  renders  the  present  specially 
interesting  to  us.  We  begin  to  look  about,  to  see 
where  we  are,  and  with  what  armor  we  are  girded. 
We  also  ask  ourselves,  whether  we  can  drink  of  the 
cup  of  which  Christ  drank.  This  moment  two  mis- 
sionaries are  needed  for  China.  Who  will  go  to  the 
heathen,  has  been  often  proposed  as  a  question  for 
discussion  in  our  social  circles.  Perhaps  you  wish 
to  know  what  answer  I  return  to  it,  and  I  will  frankly 
state  the  reply  I  made  on  one  occasion:  I  fear  I  am 
destitute  of  true  piety.  Here  let  me  observe,  it  is  not 
to  pain  you  that  I  thus  write.  Did  I  not  suppose 
the  effect  will  be  to  drive  you  to  the  mercy-seat,  I 
would  not  develop  my  feelings  to  you.  I  am  quite 
confident  that  I  had  no  rehgion  when  a  member  of 
college,  and  none  till  I  had  been  at  this  seminary  for 
some  time.  Hitherto  I  have  studied  only  from  self- 
ish motives.  I  do  not  mean  to  say  that  I  have  know- 
ingly acted  the  part  of  a  hypocrite ;  but  that  I  have 
been  deceived.  If  you  should  drop  a  tear  while 
reading  these  statements,  let  it  fall  at  the  mercy- 
seat." 

Journal.  "  March  25,  1829.  —  Received  a  reproof 
from  one  student  for  having  spoken  severely  of  an- 
other.    Viper  after  viper  crawls  out  of  my  heart,  and 


164  MEMOIR    OF 

yet  hundreds  remain.  29.  —  I  preached  my  first  ser- 
mon from  Eph.  ii.  8,  '  For  by  grace  are  ye  saved/ 
etc. 

"  April  11.  —  I  was  the  other  day  almost  over- 
whelmed on  reading  one  of  my  mother's  letters  to 
me,  dated  April  5,  1823,  in  which  she  expressed 
alarm  lest  I  was  atheistical  in  sentiment.  /  ivas  so. 
By  degrees,  however,  light  broke  in  upon  me ;  scep- 
ticism departed ;  the  truth,  there  is  a  God^  became 
deeply  impressed  on  my  mind.  I  believe  my  mo- 
ther's prayers  saved  me.  12.  —  Commenced  this 
day  with  warm  feeling,  which  seemed  to  augur  well. 
After  my  morning  duties,  however,  I  fell  into  a  cold 
and  languid  frame  —  felt  sleepy  in  the  house  of  God. 
25.  —  Agreed  to  supply  the  Second  Society  in  Bev- 
erly, during  vacation,  provided  I  can  exchange  twice, 
and  reside  at  the  seminary." 

To  a  brother,  April  26,  1829. 

"  Dear  Brother  T.  :  —  I  received  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Grout  a  short  time  since,  and  soon  after  one  from 
yourself.  I  am  highly  gratified  to  learn  that  you 
have,  during  the  winter  past,  made  commendable 
improvement,  and  I  would  express  my  sympathy  for 
you,  that  the  way  is  not  prepared  for  aiding  you  in 
your  studies.  Were  you  a  Christian,  there  would  be 
no  obstacle ;  but  it  were  better  to  live  in  ignorance 
forever,  than  to  play  the  hypocrite  for  the  sake  of 
obtaining  knowledge.  It  would  be  imitating  Simon 
Magus.  I  rejoice  at  your  courage,  and  firmly  be- 
lieve, that  if  your  life  and  health  shall  be  spared,  you 
will  succeed.  I  have  come  to  no  determination  my- 
self as  to  the  future.     I  am  wanted  for  a  foreign 


KEY.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  165 

country,  but  I  confess  that  I  feel  no  little  anxiety  in 
behalf  of  my  mother.  Things  certainly  look  dark 
for  her.  I  know  not  how  to  consent  that  we  all 
should  leave  her.  I  feel  as  if  the  voice  of  God  and 
man  forbids  it.  Upon  whom  ought  the  lot  to  fall  to 
stay  with  her  ?  Do  not  forget,  my  dear  brother,  that 
in  the  midst  of  life  you  are  near  death,  and  that  if 
you  die  without  an  interest  in  Christ,  you  are  forever 
miserable." 

"April  28,  1829. 

"  Dear  Parent  :  —  By  Mr.  White  I  send  you  my 
profile,  two  pocket  Bibles,  an  old  Greek  testament, 
and  two  other  little  books,  having  the  names  within 
of  those  for  whom  they  are  designed.  You  are  at 
liberty,  if  you  see  fit,  to  deviate  from  my  designa- 
tions. I  wish  I  had  other  presents,  and  some  money 
for  yourself;  but  you  know  my  situation.  The 
coming  vacation  I  think  to  spend  in  this  place,  but 
shall  supply  a  pulpit  sixteen  miles  distant.  To-day 
I  am  going  to  the  Presbytery,  twelve  miles  from  here, 
to  be  examined  for  license.  Does  the  candle  of  the 
Lord  shine  upon  my  brothers  and  sisters  ?  upon  your- 
self ?  Please  thank  Mr.  Grout  in  my  behalf  for  his 
letter. 

Journal.  "May  31,  1829.  —  Bradford.  Visited 
this  morning  the  residence  of  Mrs.  Atwood,  the 
mother  of  Harriet  Newell.  My  feelings  were  inde- 
scribable. My  soul  was  filled  with  a  fervent  glow. 
Here  Harriet,  the  'dear  missionary,  was  born;  here 
her  letters  were  written  ;  over  this  place  her  thoughts 
were  often  hovering,  when  she  was  far  away.     Such 


166  MEMOIR    OP 

is  the  sacredness  of  my  feelings,  that  did  time  per- 
mit, I  would  spread  them  out  on  several  sheets." 

Under  an  early  date  in  June,  he  observes :  "  I  had 
an  offer  some  time  last  term,  made  by  Dr.  Woods,  of 
a  tutorship  in  Lexington  College,  with  the  prospect 
of  ultimately  becoming  a  professor.  To  this  invita- 
tion I  gave  a  negative  answer;  the  salary  offered 
was  too  small." 

"June  28,  1829. 

"  Dear  Parent  :  —  During  the  past  week,  I  have 
witnessed  much  suited  to  rejoice  the  Christian's 
heart.  The  General  Association  of  Massachusetts 
met  in  this  place.  It  was  intensely  interesting  to  see 
distinguished  men,  from  nearly  all  parts  of  the  coun- 
try, engaged  with  perfect  harmony  in  the  most 
exalted  work ;  especially  to  see  the  venerable  minis- 
ters and  others,  from  time  to  time,  wiping  away  their 
tears.  I  enjoyed  some  animated  reflections  on  the 
glory  of  Christ's  kingdom.  The  cause  of  Immanuel 
advances ;  his  enemies  must  submit,  or  be  clothed 
with  eternal  shame.  One  afternoon,  the  Lord's 
Supper  was  administered,  when  eight  hundred  sat 
at  his  table.  Many  spectators  bent  over  the  galleries. 
I  should  delight  to  have  you  present  at  some  of  our 
excellent  meetings.  Did  my  purse  allow  me  to  send 
you  a  weekly  letter,  I  would  furnish  you  with  enter- 
taining details  of  them.  In  what  part  of  the  Lord's 
vineyard  it  will  be  my  lot  to  labor,  I  do  not  know. 
Considerations  respecting  yourself  and  T.  perplex 
me.  I  am  exceedingly  anxious  that  he  should  ob- 
tain an  education.  Of  late  I  have  been  disposed  to 
inquire,  whether  I  ought  not  to  leave  you  all.     Yet 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  167 

I  do  not  see  how  you  could  succeed  without  my  as- 
sistance. I  am  afraid  you  get  along  at  best  but 
poorly.  I  have  only  a  little  money,  yet  I  must  send 
you  one  dollar,  with  which  to  pay  the  postage  on 
this  letter,  and  to  buy  you  a  little  tea." 

As  the  law  then  was,  it  required  one  eighth  of  this 
dollar  to  defray  its  own  passage  in  a  letter,  or  one 
fourth  of  it  for  the  letter  and  itself.  Those  verily 
were  days  of  severe  taxation.  Kinder  to  the  poor 
student  are  our  recent  governmental  enactments. 

Extracts  from  a  letter  to  his  sister  Martha,*  July 
5,  1829. 

"  Dear  Sister  :  —  You  express  fears  that  I  have 
forgotten  you.  They  are  groundless.  I  think  much 
of  you,  and  sometimes  drop  a  tear  for  you  at  the 
throne  of  grace.  Perhaps  you  deem  your  lot  in  life 
hard.  Consider  the  wretched  condition  of  thousands 
in  other  lands;  for  instance,  in  Greece.  To  that 
country,  some  of  my  class  mates  are  soon  going. 

"  We  cannot  control  the  world.  It  will  be  wrong 
in  some  respects.  Acting  conscientiously,  we  may 
be  happy,  in  spite  of  its  turmoils.  It  is  particularly 
desirable  that  females  should  be  cheerful.  Men,  on 
retreating  from  the  active  scenes  of  life,  wish  to  find 
consolations  in  the  domestic  circle.  I  know  of  no 
better  example  of  kindness  and  contentment  than 
your  own  mother.  I  have  seen  her  placid  and  firm 
in  the  most  trying  moments.  Our  father  was  greatly 
dependent  on   her   for   his   happiness.      It  is  with 

*  Now  the  wife  of  deacon  F.  Hamlin,  Plainfield,  Massachusetts. 


168  MEMOIR    OF   REV.   0.    A.   TAYLOR. 

admiration  that  I  think  of  her,  as  she  used  to  be  in 
the  family  circle.  Dear  sister,  in  all  your  ways 
acknowledge  God,  and  he  shall  direct  you.  With 
the  divine  guidance,  you  need  not  fear,  though  called 
to  walk  through  the  vale  of  death.  You  will  gratify 
me  by  writing  immediately." 

Journal.  "  Sept.  15,  1829.  —  Have  thought  some 
of  spending  the  next  year  here,  in  translating.  20.  — 
Attended  meeting  in  the  chapel  for  the  last  time  as  a 
member  of  the  seminary.  Had  a  most  precious 
meeting  with  a  few  friends,  immediately  after  the 
services.  The  moments  were  solemn  and  instructive. 
How  can  I  part  with  these  Mends  ?  " 

The  anniversary  in  the  seminary  occurred  Sept. 
23 :  the  afternoon  of  that  day  he  says :  "  Have  been 
carried  through  the  exercises  of  the  day,  though 
really  I  was  too  sick  to  be  about.  Wish  it  were  pos- 
sible to  stereotype  each  moment  of  the  passing  scene, 
that  I  might  in  future  meditate  upon  it.  Enjoyed 
an  interview  with  a  former  tutor  at  Ashfield ;  walked 
with  him,  and  conversed  about  the  goodness  of  God. 
The  very  sight  of  him  brought  to  my  mind  thoughts 
of  the  overwelming  goodness  of  God.  24.  —  Went 
to  Boston  to  see  a  number  of  my  brethren  ordained. 
On  the  way  thither,  the  scenes  of  the  Anniversary 
burst  upon  my  mind  with  melting  power.  The 
ordination  exercises  were  very  impressive." 


CHAPTER  VI. 

CALLS  TO  SETTLE  DECLINED LITERARY  PURSUITS 

FROM  1830  TO  1834. 

At  the  close  of  the  last  chapter  we  saw  Mr. 
Taylor  a  graduate  of  the  seminary  at  Andover. 
Immediately  on  completing  his  theological  com-se 
he  was  invited  to  preach  as  a  candidate  in  Topsfield, 
Massachusetts.  He  declined  being  considered  in 
that  light,  though  he  consented  to  supply  the  pulpit 
several  Sabbaths.  A  few  items  are  selected  from 
his  journal. 

"  Oct.  3,  1829.  —  I  have  had  an  invitation  to 
preach  as  a  candidate  in  G.,  Connecticut,  but  de- 
clined it.  What  course  the  Lord  has  marked  out 
for  me,  I  know  not.  4.  —  Much  interested  in  read- 
ing the  Memoirs  of  Brainerd.  5.  —  Impressed  with 
what  Thomas-a-Kempis  says,  of  the  necessity  of 
bearing  the  cross.     Full  of  unsubdued  pride. 

"  Nov.  10.  —  Tlws  morning  commenced  the  critical 
study  of  Hebrew,  and  the  translation  of  Schmid's 
Anleitung,  though  perhaps  the  Lord  intends  I  shall 
not  proceed  far  with  either.  I  seem  to  stand  alone 
in  the  world,  and  yet  I  fear  my  whole  soul  is  upon 
it.  Others  are  prospered  in  their  plans,  but  I  am 
often  disappointed.  I  know  that  soon  it  will  matter 
15 


170  MEMOIR    OF 

not  who  has  possessed  bVilliant  talents,  and  who  has 
not.  The  great  point  will  be,  whether  we  have  been 
consecrated  to  God.  Let  me  pray  for  a  clean  heart, 
and  a  right  spirit,  and  remember  my  utter  incompe- 
tence to  comply  with  the  divine  will,  except  as 
assisted  from  heaven.  16. — Just  received  a  call 
from  Topsfield  to  settle  there  in  the  ministry." 

What  were  the  feelings  of  the  people  who  had~ 
invited  him  to  become  their  religious  teacher,  may 
be  learned  from  extracts  of  letters  written  to  him 
urging  his  acceptance  of  the  call.  One  member  of 
the  parish  wrote  thus :  "  Let  me  beg  of  you  not  to 
suffer  your  mind  to  lean  towards  a  negative.  If 
doubts  and  difficulties  arise  before  you,  pray  let  us 
have  an  opportunity  to  make  every  exertion  in  our 
power  to  remove  them."  Another  member  assured 
him  that  the  youth  were  deeply  interested  in  him; 
that  the  young  men  of  the  society,  with  a  single 
exception,  had  voted  for  him :  "  Give  us  not  a  nega- 
tive answer,  if  you  have  any  feeling  for  our  present 
situation."  Clergymen  in  the  vicinity  urged  him  to 
accept  the  call,  presenting,  among  other  considera- 
tions, the  fact  that  the  young  men  were  enlisted  in 
his  favor. 

Elected  to  the  sacred  office  of  pastor,  by  an  affec- 
tionate people,  Mr.  T.  desired  time»to  deliberate,  and 
addressed  a  note  to  a  committee  of  the  church, 
requesting  permission  to  delay  his  decision  until  after 
a  visit  to  his  mother.  He  had  not  seen  her  for  more 
than  two  years ;  besides,  it  was  his  desire  to  consult 
her  and  other  judicious  friends  respecting  his  present 
duty.     During  his  absence,  he  preached  in  the  sane- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  171 

tuary  where  he  had  worshipped  in  childhood,  and 
the  people  were  enthusiastic  in  their  expressions  of 
interest  in  his  pulpit  performances.  He  likewise 
delivered  several  discourses  in  Ashfield,  where  the 
Lord  was  copiously  pouring  out  the  Holy  Spirit. 
Everywhere  the  impression  which  he  made  seemed 
good  and  deep. 

On  returning  to  Andover,  he  found  another  letter 
from  Topsfield,  beseeching  him,  if  inclined  to  a  neg- 
ative, to  allow  the  church  committee  to  meet  him, 
and  plead  their  cause  before  him.  Still  he  felt  con- 
strained to  forward  them  the  ensuing  letter :  — 

"Andover,  Dec.  18,  1829. 
"  Brethren  and  Friends  :  —  It  is  now  more  than 
four  weeks  since  I  received  your  call.  During  this 
time,  I  have  had  the  subject  under  prayerful  consid- 
eration, and  have  endeavored  to  consult  the  leadings 
of  Providence.  Had  I  listened  only  to  the  sympathy 
which  I  feel  in  your  behalf,  the  question  would  have 
been  decided  ere  this  in  the  affirmative.  You  will 
recollect  that  from  the  first  I  declined  being  consid- 
ered a  candidate.  Let  me  now  add,  that  I  have 
long  contemplated  becoming  a  foreign  missionary, 
should  a  door  be  opened.  Though  as  yet  all  diffi- 
culties are  not  removed,  and  family  circumstances 
may  ultimately  hedge  up  my  way,  I  feel  it  to  be  my 
duty  at  present  to  refrain  from  any  obligations  which 
.  would  prove  a  barrier  to  my  going  abroad.  Judicious 
friends  coincide  with  me  in  this  view  of  the  case. 
These  reasons  make  it  necessary  for  me  to  decline 
accepting  your  kind  call.  Let  me  assure  you  that  it 
is  with  pain  I  am  constrained,  under  a  sense  of  duty. 


172  MEMOIR    OP 

to  send  you  this  reply.  I  am  not  insensible  to  the 
trials  of  your  peculiar  situation,  and  hope  that  in  his 
own  good  time,  God  will  send  you  a  pastor  after  his 
own  heart.  With  earnest  prayers  for  your  temporal 
and  spiritual  welfare,  I  remain  yours  in  the  Lord." 

Alluding  to  this  subject  in  his  journal,  he  observes : 
"  T  feel  the  necessity  of  doing  all  to  the   glory  of^ 
God,  and  of  keeping  in  view  the  day  of  judgment, 
when  the  motives  by  which  I  am  now  governed  will 
be  put  to  an  infallible  test. 

"  Jan.  1, 1830.  —  "Where  shall  I  be  next  year  at  this 
time,  was  a  thought  which  weighed  upon  me  a  year 
ago.  I  find  myself  still  at  Andover,  pursuing  be- 
loved studies.  I  have  much  to  lament,  and  much  to 
remember  with  gratitude.  25.  —  Lately  received  an 
application  to  become  a  missionary  to  the  Jews." 
Generally  on  the  Sabbath  he  preached  somewhere  in 
the  vicinity  of  A.  About  this  time,  he  complained 
of  a  peculiar  feeling  in  his  head,  which  he  supposed 
arose  from  mental  excitement,  and  respecting  which 
he  had  some  fears. 

To  his  mother,  Feb.  22,  1830. 

"  Dear  Parent  :  —  It  is  more  than  a  week  since  I 
received  your  intensely  interesting  letter,  and  I  de- 
signed answering  it  before  ;  but  preaching  and  study- 
ing have  kept  me  constantly  employed,  and  even  now 
I  am  absolutely  obliged  to  break  away  from  other 
engagements.  It  is  gratifying  to  hear  that  your  little 
room  is  finished,  and  that  it  makes  you  so  comforta- 
ble. I  have  imagined  to  myself  how  it  looks,  and 
taken  my  seat  in  it,  by  your  side.     I  hardly  know 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  173 

why  it  is,  but  I  find  that  my  family  attachments 
increase  upon  me.  With  you  I  have  passed  through 
more  sorrows,  than  has  any  other  member  of  the 
family.  On  this  account,  my  affection  for  you  may 
be  more  ardent  than  that  of  any  other  one  of  your 
children.  Here  let  me  say,  that  the  fidelity  of  my 
brothers  and  sisters  to  you,  affects  me  so  much  as  to 
cause  me  to  weep  like  a  child.  It  seems  to  me  a 
pledge  of  their  future  prosperity ;  for  there  is  a  divine 
promise  attached  to  this  kind  of  filial  devotedness. 
Recollect,  mother,  that  the  longest  interval  sufferable 
between  the  periods  of  my  receiving  letters  from  you, 
is  four  weeks." 

Items.  The  agency  of  evil  spirits.  "  The  history 
of  the  world  in  past  ages  seems  to  be  the  history  of 
the  transactions  of  demons  incarnate.  How  neces- 
sary, then,  for  a  people  to  have  sanctified  rulers,  or  if 
none  but  the  unsanctified  must  hold  the  reins  of 
government,  how  vastly  important  that  the  people 
themselves  should  prevail,  by  their  prayers  with  God, 
to  cause  the  sins  of  their  rulers  to  subserve  his  own 
glory."  —  "  Satan  is  engaged  in  efforts  for  the  destruc- 
tion of  each  one  of  the  human  family.  Add  to  this 
fact  the  consideration  that  all  hearts  are  by  nature 
inclined  to  evil,  then  you  have  the  view  of  man's 
moral  condition  which  is  furnished  us  in  the  Scripr 
tures,  and  it  certainly  requires  us  to  ascribe  all  the 
glory  of  salvation  to  God.  The  sinner  is,  indeed,  a 
free  agent ;  but  God  is  the  only  being  able,  as  well 
as  willing  and  desirous,  of  presenting  the  sinner  with 
sufficient  motives  to  holiness ;  the  only  being  who 
does  present  them." 

15* 


174  MEMOIR    OF 

The  following  is  extracted  from  two  letters  to  his 
mother,  written,  one  in  March,  the  other  in  April,  1830. 

"  I  am  sorry  to  hear  that  the  people  in talk  of 

inviting  me  to  preach  for  them  as  a  candidate.     It 
will  be  utterly  impossible  for  me  to  comply  with  such 

an  invitation.     I  have  declined  remaining  at  

because   I  do  not  yet  feel   prepared  to  become   a 
pastor.     Moreover,  I  am  pledged  to  the  missionary 
cause.     Whatever  shall  become  of  me  in  the  end,  1 
must  continue  here  at  present,  poring  over  Greek, 
Latin,    German,    Astronomy,   etc.,   in    addition    to 
preaching  on  the  Sabbath.     I  am  so  enthusiastically 
fond   of  study  that  the  very  thought  of  leaving  it 
pierces  my  soul.     I  have  lately  been  perusing  your 
manuscript  statements  of  yourself  and  my  father, 
which  I  requested  of  you,  and  wish  to  propose  vari- 
ous questions  relating  to  points  which  you  have  not 
fully  exhibited.     You  will  of  course  be  guided  by 
your  own  judgment  in  regard  to  the  answers.     I  am 
anxious  to  know  the  particulars  of  the  lives  of  my 
parents.     I  think  it  an  honorable  curiosity.     Soon, 
however,  or  not  at  all,  must  it  be  gratified.     Our 
family  friends  one  after  another  die,  and  their  knowl- 
edge of  such  facts  goes  with  them.     To  your  inquiry 
when  I  shall  leave  A.,  I  can  at  present  furnish  no 
definite  reply.     I  seem  to  be  fit  for  nothing  but  to  be 
thrown  away.     My  heart  is  not  right.     I  have  some- 
times had  a  glance  at  it ;  and  it  has  appeared  to  be 
a  nest  of  vipers.     You  must  pray  for  me,  or  I  shall 
be  lost." 

How  to  keep  the  Sabbath  and  fast-days.    Written 
April,  1830. 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  175 

"  It  has  struck  me  that  the  reason  why  Sabbaths 
and  fast-days  turn  to  so  little  account,  and  that  it  is 
so  hard  to  spend  them  with  interest  or  profit  to  our- 
selves, is  because  we  adopt  no  system  in  our  religious 
exercises.  Some  suggestions  respecting  a  system  in 
the  observance  of  the  Sabbath  readily  occur. 

"  We  should  thank  God  for  bringing  us  to  the  light 
of  another  Lord's  day,  and  ask  for  his  divine  assist- 
ance that  we  may  be  enabled  to  spend  it  to  his  glory. 
Having  done  this,  we  should  read  the  Bible  and 
pray  over  it,  examining  our  hearts  at  the  same  time, 
with  reference  to  the  past  week;  its  present  state 
and  the  duties  before  us.  We  should  also  pray  for 
permission  to  enter  God's  house  and  for  help  to  wor- 
ship him  acceptably.  On  returning  from  the  sanc- 
tuary we  should  inquire  of  ourselves  how  we  have 
heard ;  review  the  sermon  and  apply  it  to  our  own 
case."  This  he  would  have  done  at  the  close  of 
morning  and  afternoon  services,  and  in  the  evening 
the  whole  day's  public  exercises  reviewed ;  also  the 
frame  of  mind  with  which  they  have  been  attended 
carefully  scrutinized.  "Prepare  for  the  week,"  he 
says,  "by  forming  new  resolutions,  asking  God's 
assistance,  etc.     Close  with  prayer." 

In  the  latter  part  of  1829,  Mr.  T.  corresponded 
with  Prof.  Fiske,  of  Amherst  College,  respecting  the 
translation  of  a  German  treatise  on  the  "  History  of 
the  Pulpit."  Prof.  F.  had  begun  the  work,  but  was 
providentially  prevented  from  going  on  with  it.  In 
a  letter  to  Mr.  T.  he  says :  — 

"  If  you  have  leisure,  immediately  proceed  with 
the  work.     I  should  advise  you  to  undertake  it,  and 


176  MEMOIR    OP 

nothing  which  I  have  done  or  contemplated,  need  be 
any  hinderance.  It  should  be  accompanied  with 
notes  and  some  important  additions  pertaining  to 
the  English  and  American  pulpits.  I  wish  you  much 
success  in  the  enterprise.  Probably  the  work  under 
your  own  hands,  will  assume  a  shape  more  satis- 
factory than  it  can  in  any  other  way." 

In  regard  to  this  work  on  the  Pulpit,  Dr.  Murdock 
wrote  to  ]VIr.  T.,  that  himself  and  other  gentlemen  in 
New  Haven  would  favor  it,  and  suggested  to  him  cer- 
tain advantages  which  a  residence  in  that  city  would 
furnish  him,  beyond  any  other  place,  while  he  might 
be  translating  and  preparing  it. 

Journal.  "May  1,  1830.  —  111  health  has  occa- 
sioned the  loss  of  some  precious  time.  Pained  at 
hearing  the  result  in  Congress  of  the  Indian  ques- 
tion." 5.  —  He  completed  the  translation  of  the  Ger- 
man work  previously  mentioned.     "  28.  —  Mr. 

reproved  me  for  staying  at  Andover  so  long.  I  was 
bound  to  receive  it  kindly  from  him,  inasmuch  as  I 
owe  him  a  debt  of  gratitude  and  of  money. 

"  July  3.  —  Lost  more  than  half  of  the  past  week 
by  feeble  health.  Religion  ebbs  at  my  heart ;  when 
will  it  flow?  15.  —  Went  to  Boston  to  settle  the 
matter  of  copyright  in  regard  to  Rein  hard,  a  work 
which  I  am  now  translating.  Attended  some  of  the 
exercises  of  the  Theological  School,  Cambridge.  19. 
—  Last  Saturday  entered  into  an  agreement  with 
Mr.  Woodbridge,  author  of  the  Geography,  to  spend 
three  months  in  translating  for  him.  I  am  to  remove 
to  Hartford,  Connecticut,  in  a  few  days,  for  the  pur- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  177 

pose.  27.  —  Was  called  to  Boston  last  "Wednesday, 
to  translate  for  Mr.  W. ;  was  engaged  for  him  until 
Saturday.  While  on  my  way  to  B.,  I  enjoyed  a 
pleasant  view  of  Christ  —  he  looked  lovely,  and  I 
desired  to  be  engaged  in  his  service.  30.  —  Arrived 
at  Hartford  to-day ;  fear  I  shall  never  be  able  to  per- 
form my  duties  ;  wish  to  cast  myself  upon  Jesus,  my 
only  substantial  friend." 

While  in  H.,  on  one  Sabbath  he  attended  in  the 
morning  an  Orthodox  meeting;  a  Roman  Catholic 
in  the  afternoon ;  and  the  Universalist  in  the  even- 
ing. He  deliberated  much  before  entering  the  two 
last,  but  thought  himself  justified  in  once  going  to 
each.  "  Thus  have  I  in  the  course  of  a  single  Sab- 
bath, heard  the  Saviour  preach  once,  and  the  devil 
twice.  How  plainly  it  appears  to  me,  that  Satan 
has  his  emissaries,  who  are  trying  in  all  possible 
ways  to  destroy  the  gospel.  How  unsatisfactory  to 
my  mind  is  every  thing  in  religion,  which  does  not 
influence  a  man  to  seek  forgiveness  through  Christ, 
and  trust  in  him  for  all  needful  aid."  During  his 
residence  in  H.,  Mr.  T.  enjoyed  the  society  of  several 
distinguished  persons,  whose  friendship  he  highly 
prized.  With  one  of  them  he  afterwards  corre- 
sponded, but  I  have  been  unable  to  recover  any 
copy  of  the  letters  written  to  that  friend.  He  also 
preached  a  number  of  times  in  that  city.  A  few  inci- 
dents of  his  residence  there,  in  addition  to  the  above, 
may  not  be  unworthy  of  a  place  in  these  pages. 

"Sept.  22,  1830.— Was  present  at  a  delightful 
meeting  of  Sabbath  school  teachers  connected  with 
the  Central  church.  26.  —  Have  been  at  two  gath- 
erings  of  good   rehgious    people,  during   the   past 


178  MEMOIR    OF 

week;  attended  also  a  meeting  of  singers.  Visited 
at  Weathersfield  the  State  prison.  On  the  whole, 
the  week  has  been  exceedingly  agreeable  to  me."  A 
little  later,  having  seen  an  Indian  chief  of  the  Seneca 
tribe,  one  of  a  company  of  actors  in  the  city,  he 
observes,  "  His  countenance  is  a  noble  one.  But  he 
lay  on  his  couch  in  the  house  of  a  colored  man,  and 
was  so  distressed  as  to  pay  no  attention  to  me,  till  I 
intimated  to  the  family  that  he  was  a  friend  of  mine, 
from  the  fact  of  his  having  served  under  Washing- 
ton, and  that  they  must  take  good  care  of  him.  His 
face  then  brightened,  and  he  began  to  speak  in  Indian, 
being  unacquainted  with  English.  He  shook  hands 
with  me  in  a  friendly  manner,  when  I  parted  with 
him.  —  I  frequently  walk  with  Mr.  Gallaudet  in  the 
morning.  Our  interviews  are  generally  quite  inter- 
esting. The  one  to-day  was  intensely  so.  He  told 
me  about  the  Moorish  prince,  for  whom  he  had 
exerted  himself,  and  whose  history  he  has  at  perfect 
command. 

"  Oct.  H.  —  The  Indian  chief  is  dead  and  buried. 
Probably  he  died  in  a  few  hours  after  I  saw  him. 
Poor  man !  he  was  almost  alone  and  friendless.  I 
offered  up  a  prayer  for  him,  but  with  a  singular  feel- 
ing. I  know  not  that  he  had  ever  heard  of  a 
Saviour.  I  lament  that  I  did  not  speak  to  him  of 
Jesus  when  I  saw  him,  as  that  was  my  only  oppor- 
tunity. His  death  was  occasioned,  I  think,  by  a 
cold,  caught  in  consequence  of  exposure  to  the  even- 
ing air,  immediately  after  having  danced  excessively 
to  please  an  audience.  His  guide  has  certainly  neg- 
lected him.  He  was  eighty-five  years  of  age.  10. 
—  Preached  at  Rocky  Hill,  for  Dr.  Chapin.     Mrs.  C. 


EEV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  179 

is  daughter  of  the  younger  Edwards.  She  has  in 
her  possession  her  father's  portrait,  which  indicates  a 
very  fine  countenance ;  eyes  rather  dark,  black  hair, 
and  a  bold  forehead.  25.  —  Preached  yesterday  in 
Glastenbury,  for  Bro.  Riddel.  Saw  Rev.  Dr.  Austin. 
This  morning  enjoyed  a  most  interesting  call  from 
Rev.  Dr.  Hawes.     We  walked  together. 

"  Nov.  4. —  The  Lord  is  exceedingly  kind  to  me. 
I  have  just  received  a  letter  from  my  mother,  in 
which  she  informs  me  that  my  eldest  brother,  at 
school  in  Bennington,  Vermont,  has  become  hope- 
fully pious.  How  much  reason  have  I  to  praise 
God !  I  always  find  that  he  is  far  better  to  me  than 
my  fears.  6.  —  A  most  pleasant  visit  with  Dr.  H.  at 
his  own  house,  in  the  evening.  He  gave  me  an 
affecting  account  of  the  straitened  condition  of  the 
American  Education  Society.  I  tremble  for  our 
benevolent  institutions  —  but  God  reigns." 

Extracts  from  a  letter  addressed  to  a  friend,  and 
written  while  Mr.  T.  was  residing  in  H. 

"  The  delicacy  you  speak  of  with  respect  to  con- 
versing upon  one's  own  religious  feelings,  is  not 
without  cause.  That  Christian  intercourse  is  sweet, 
especially  with  those  who  have  been  long  in  the 
service  of  Christ,  I  am  deeply  sensible.  It  appears 
to  me,  however,  that  there  is  something  in  the  nature 
of  Christian  feelings  which  shrinks  from  exposure 
In  the  first  place,  it  is  difficult  to  embody  them.  In 
the  second,  our  desire  to  appear  well  in  the  eyes  of 
others,  tempts  us  to  put  on  a  false  coloring.  Dr. 
Pay  son  has  some  remarks  on  this  subject  very  much 
to  the  point.     Upon  the  whole,  however,  I  would 


180  MEMOIR    OF 

say  that  some  of  the  best  Christians  have  found 
great  benefit  from  ascertaining  the  feelings  of  others. 
Bunyan  was  almost  in  despair  until  he  learned  from 
Martin  Luther's  Commentary  that  the  latter  had 
passed  through  the  same  trials,  and  that  they  were 
common  to  all  the  pious.  Hence  he  makes  Chris- 
tian and  Hopeful  converse  about  their  respective 
states  when  they  began  to  be  drowsy.  I  can  say, 
too,  that  I  have  myself  found  it  exceedingly  instruct- 
ive to  converse  with  experienced  disciples  of  Jesus. 
Its  tendency  has  been  to  quicken  me  in  the  divine 
life." 

To  his  mother  he  WTote  from  Hartford,  Aug.  18, 
1830. 

"  Dear  Parent  :  —  I  doubt  not  that  you  often 
think  of  me  on  this  my  birthday.  It  had  not  occurred 
to  me  as  being  such,  till  the  act  of  dating  this  letter 
brought  the  fact  to  mind.  I  am  not  sure  but  I  err 
in  this  negligence.  One's  birthday  might  well  be 
spent  in  fasting  on  account  of  sins  —  of  misimprove- 
ment  of  opportunities  for  usefulness.  It  might  also 
with  propriety  be  spent  in  thanksgiving,  for  it  is  no 
slight  favor  to  be  made  acquainted  with  even  so 
small  a  portion  of  the  Creator's  dominions  as  comes 
under  our  present  observation  ;  then  what  prospects 
lie  before  us,  of  penetrating  further  and  further  into 
his  glories  I  I  feel  somewhat  poetical  to-day  ;  but 
I  have  no  time  in  which  to  indulge  such  an  inclina- 
tion. I  never  was  a  great  favorite  of  the  Muses, 
though  they  have  sometimes  visited  me.  But  having 
neglected  ttiem  very  much  of  late,  I  am  afraid  they 
will  return  to  me  no  more.     Nothing  would  tempt 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  181 

me  to  part  with  them.  Translating  from  the  Ger- 
man, is  not  favorable  to  the  cultivation  of  poetry.  I 
have  been  here  nearly  three  weeks,  without  finding 
an  inch  of  time  to  devote  to  you,  till  to-day,  when  I 
seized  it  by  stealth.  This  afternoon  1  move  into  the 
house  of  Mr.  Gallaudet,  near  the  Asylum.  I  shall 
sometimes  find  myself  embarrassed,  as  Mrs.  G.  and 
most  of  the  household  are  deaf  and  dumb.  I  shall 
experience,  however,  one  advantage  in  my  new 
situation.  Though  fifty  or  sixty  of  the  lads  may  be 
playing  together  under  my  windows,  it  will  occasion 
me  little  or  no  disturbance.  1  sometimes  almost 
think  that  it  would  be  better  if  more  of  mankind 
were  unable  to  speak.  —  When  I  commenced  writing, 
I  expected  to  send  you  only  a  few  lines ;  but  I  have 
filled  my  sheet.  It  is,  indeed,  somewhat  of  a  curious 
letter,  but  if  you  are  in  health  it  may  amuse  you." 

Journal.  "  Sept.  11.  —  Gave  up  most  of  this  week 
to  attending  Commencement  at  New  Haven.  When 
I  drew  near  the  city  it  seemed  to  resemble  a  forest 
more  than  an  inhabited  town.  When  once  in  it, 
however,  I  felt  that  it  had  not  been  commended 
without  reason.  The  first  meeting  which  I  attended 
after  my  arrival  was  a  Convention  of  Teachers. 
From  this  I  gathered  that  things  in  Connecticut  are 
at  a  low  ebb  as  regards  education.  Still  there  are 
choice  exceptions.  The  Commencement  was  of  a 
high  order.  Made  myself  acquainted  with  Prof. 
Silliman  in  his  lecture  room ;  was  introduced  to  Dr. 
Taylor,  Prof.  Goodrich,  etc.  I  gathered  materials 
for  a  critique  upon  all  which  I  saw  and  heard,  but  at 

16 


182  MEMOIR    OF 

this  late  hour  have  not  time  to  finish  what  I  have 
attempted." 

To  his  mother  he  wrote  again  from  H.  Nov.  12. 

"  Dear  Mother  :  —  Your  last  was  a  charming 
letter,  and  as  soon  as  I  received  it,  I  sat  down  and 
wrote  to  Sarah  that  she  might  be  partaker  of  my  joy. 
It  brought  cheering  intelligence  in  regard  to  several 
members  of  our  family.  T.  has  become  hopefully  a 
foUower  of  Jesus.  I  trust  he  is  a  Christian  in  very 
deed.  On  reading  your  letter  I  could  not  help 
weeping  at  the  goodness  of  God  toward  us,  in  giving 
us  as  a  family  such  reasons  to  rejoice  on  various 
accounts.  I  have  almost  experienced  the  happiness 
of  a  parent  in  hearing  of  the  good  deportment  of  my 
brothers  and  sisters.  My  sensations  of  delight  are 
beyond  description.  But  I  begin  to  tremble  for  you 
in  my  very  heart.  Cold  winter  is  at  hand  with  all 
its  blustering  train,  and  you  perhaps  have  not  what 
is  needful  to  meet  it.  I  fear  you  did  not  do  enough 
in  repairing  your  house.  I  wish  you  to  remember 
that  nothing  for  which  I  am  responsible  is  to  be  half 
done. 

"  I  have  thought  of  late  that  there  ought  to  be  a 
gravestone  with  a  suitable  inscription  in  memory  of 
my  father.  I  am  not  now  able  to  pay  for  one,  but  it 
has  occurred  to  me  that  we  as  a  family  might  make 
a  kind  of  charity-box  in  which  to  deposit  little  sums 
for  this  object,  and  thus  in  the  course  of  a  few  years 
the  design  might  be  accomplished. 

"  You  perceive  I  have  spent  here  some  weeks  more 
than  I  anticipated.     To-morrow,  God  willing,  I  leave 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  183 

for  Andover.  With  regret  I  bid  adieu  to  many  dear 
friends.  I  have  translated  two  works  for  Mr.  W.  and 
have  entered  into  a  favorable  compact  with  some 
New  York  publishers  in  regard  to  a  German  work, 
which  I  am  to  commence  translating  on  my  return 
to  A."  He  did  not,  however,  return  to  Andover  till 
the  first  of  December. 

Journal.  "  Andover,  Dec.  24.  —  A  heart-cheering 
letter  from  my  mother.  Have  reason  to  thank  God 
that  he  furnished  me  with  five  dollars  to  send  her 
last  week,  for  she  was  in  want  of  it.  She  speaks  of 
T.  as  a  Christian ;  bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul.  30. 
—  Much  interested  in  examining  some  of  Pres. 
Edwards'  manuscripts  and  the  pocket-book  in  which 
he  used  to  note  every  particular.  I  have  thus  ob- 
tained a  better  idea  of  the  man,  than  I  could  by 
reading  about  him  for  ages.  Mrs.  Farrar  has  a  silver 
bowl  in  which  he  used  to  take  his  supper  of  choco- 
late. It  will  hold  half  a  pint,  and  has  his  name, 
birth,  and  death  engraved  upon  it.  I  also  learned 
that  it  was  his  custom  when  riding  out,  to  pin  a 
piece  of  paper  on  his  sleeve  whenever  a  new  thought 
occurred  to  him,  that  he  might  thus  retain  or  recall  it 
by  means  of  association.  The  handwriting  of  Pres- 
ident E.  was  excellent;  I  am  promised  a  specimen 
of  it. 

"  Jan.  2,  1831.  —  Another  year  gone.  Have  made 
but  little  progress  any  way ;  I  fear  none  in  holiness. 
What  have  I  accomplished  in  the  cause  of  Christ  ? 
My  conscience  is  not  yet  at  rest.  Very  much  I  can 
see  for  which  to  be  grateful.     Among  God's  special 


184  MEMOIR    OF 

favors  I  would  name  the  hopeful  conversion  of  my 
oldest  brother  who  is  now  teaching  in  Vermont." 

To  his  brother  T.,  Jan.  2,  1831. 

"  Dear  Brother  :  —  Mother  has  informed  me  that 
you  entertain  the  hope  that  you  are  a  Christian.  No 
news  could  be  more  gratifying  to  me  than  this ;  but 
acquainted  as  I  am,  to  some  degree,  with  the  deceit- 
fulness  of  the  human  heart,  and  certain  that  thou- 
sands go  down  to  hell  with  a  lie  in  their  right  hand, 
I  must  rejoice  with  trembling.  Angels  may  have 
struck  their  harps  anew,  and  filled  heaven  with 
hosannas  at  the  conversion  of  your  soul.  Yet  I  am 
not  without  fears.  I  seem  to  see  your  face  towards 
Zion,  the  heavenly  city  being  in  view,  while  angels 
and  men,  and  devils  too,  have  their  eyes  fixed  upon 
you,  some  to  assist  you  onward,  and  some  eager  to 
devour  you.  Bear  in  mind  that  in  this  great  race 
you  may  fail.  You  may  arrive  at  the  very  gate  of 
heaven  and  walk  under  its  battlements,  and  then  be 
thrust  down  to  hell.  Let  your  heart  and  soul  be 
devoted  to  the  glory  of  God.  Look  only  at  his 
approbation ;  inquire  at  every  step  what  he  will  have 
you  to  do,  and  do  it.  It  is  impossible  to  follow 
Christ,  without  denying  yourself  and  taking  up  your 
cross.  If  he  command  you  to  be  a  farmer,  be  one. 
If  he  direct  you  to  prepare  to  preach  the  gospel,  do 
so  with  all  your  might,  for  the  sake  of  immortal 
souls,  and  with  a  perfect  readiness  to  go  wherever  he 
shall  send  you.  You  will  not,  however,  find  it  very 
easy  to  become  entirely  absorbed  in  promoting  the 
kingdom  of  the  Redeemer.     Nothing  but  his  Spirit 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  185 

will  ever  bring  you  to  such  a  high  attainment.  For 
this,  you  must  pray,  and  pray,  and  pray  without 
ceasing.  At  the  very  outset  form  habits  of  secret 
prayer  and  of  reading  the  word  of  God.  Your 
progress  in  the  divine  life  will  be  in  proportion  to 
your  faithfulness  in  these  particulars.  You  should 
be  specially  careful  to  spend  the  Sabbath  in  holy 
exercises.  Furthermore,  you  will  be  much  assisted 
by  a  careful  perusal  of  such  memoirs  as  that  of  Pay- 
son,  Brainerd,  Martyn,  Fisk,  etc.  I  am  in  haste,  but 
write  to  let  you  know  that  my  heart  and  prayers  are 
with  you,  and  that  I  both  tremble  and  rejoice  on 
your  account." 

A  striking  characteristic  of  Mr.  Taylor's  mind  was 
a  desire  to  be  a  universal  scholar.  A  few  extracts 
are  here  classed  together  as  illustrative  of  it.  They 
are  inserted  without  any  regard  to  chronological 
order. 

"  I  need  some  work  on  Comparative  Anatomy,  as 
I  am  more  and  more  convinced  that  next  to  the 
Bible  a  minister  of  the  gospel  should  study  the 
works  of  nature."  Having  noticed  one  summer  day 
a  musquito  of  unusual  form,  he  says,  "  I  wish  I  had  a 
complete  natural  history  of  this  insect." 

"  I  am  beginning  to  review  my  study  of  Botany. 
First,  I  ascertain  the  names  of  plants,  and  then  their 
medicinal  properties,  if  they  have  any.  We  ought 
to  have  a  treatise  on  Botany  which  shall  combine 
their  names,  history,  and  medicinal  properties." 

When  seemingly  buried  up  in  antiquarian  re- 
searches we  hear  him  resolving  to  purchase  a  good 
16* 


186  MEMOIR    OF 

work  on  gardenings  though  he  was  not  the  tiller  of  a 
foot  of  soil. 

During  the  period  embraced  in  the  present  chapter 
(not  to  exclude  other  periods)  Mr.  T.  read  immensely  ; 
and  generally  he  recorded  his  opinion  of  the  works 
read,  whether  they  were  large  or  small,  literary  or 
scientific,  in  the  English  or  some  other  language. 
He  imported  many  books,  some  of  them  at  great 
expense,  and  was  at  times  annoyed  by  borrowers. 
With  reference  to  this  class  of  persons  he  remarks : 
"  I  think  myself  justified  in  being  very  careful  in 
regard  to  lending  books,  except  to  those  who  will  use 
them  to  the  best  purpose,  and  for  the  following  rea- 
sons :  They  cost  a  great  deal  and  I  am  poor.  Many 
of  them  are  very  valuable  and  difficult  to  be  obtained. 
They  may  last  for  generations  if  used  as  they  ought 
to  be.  I  owe  for  numbers  of  them,  and  I  am  pay- 
ing interest.  I  always  wish  for  my  books  by  me, 
and  am  often  troubled  for  the  want  of  them  when 
they  are  lent." 

Journal.  "Jan.  13,  1831.  —  I  get  along  slowly 
with  translating.  Have  fears  about  my  soul  and  the 
path  of  duty.  16.  —  Wish  I  could  be  swallowed  up 
in  the  glory  of  God :  nothing  else  is  worth  living 
for;  life  is  a  bubble.  26.  —  Happy  in  receiving"  a 
letter  from  my  brother  T. ;  the  first  since  he  became, 
as  he  hopes,  a  Christian." 

To  his  brother  T.,  Jan.  31. 

"  Dear  Brother  :  —  Your  letter  of  the  22d  inst. 
w^as  duly  received.  I  rejoice  to  hear  you  express 
yourself  so  much  like  a   Christian,  and  yet  a  fear 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  187 

that  you  may  be  deceived  damps  my  spirits  when  I 
remember  you  at  a  throne  of  grace.  I  must  still 
warn  you  against  deception,  and  exhort  you,  if  a 
Christian,  to  aim  at  a  high  standard  of  piety,  for  as 
you  begin,  so  in  all  probability  will  you  continue. 
Take  not  believers  around  you  but  the  word  of  God 
for  your  guide.  Religion  should  live  in  you,  and 
rule  over  you.  You  speak  of  persevering  in  obtain- 
ing an  education,  with  a  view  to  the  gospel  ministry, 
asking  my  advice  and  direction.  I  must  first  inquire 
whether  you  have  counted  the  cost,  and  considered 
what  it  is  to  be  a  minister  ?  Perhaps  the  sacred 
office  looks  honorable  to  you  in  a  worldly  aspect, 
and  therefore  you  wish  to  press  into  it,  to  obtain 
worldly  honors.  ^  I  fear,'  said  Professor  W.  to  me 
some  time  since,  'that  many  young  men  become 
apparently  pious  on  purpose  to  get  an  education.' 
Hence,  I  must  beg  you  to  consider  well  whether  you 
have  given  yourself  up  to  Jesus  Christ,  body  and 
soul,  for  time  and  eternity.  Furthermore,  I  must  ask 
you  to  examine  whether  he  calls  you  to  become  a 
minister  of  the  gospel.  Satisfy  me,  —  nay,  satisfy 
yourself  on  these  points;  satisfy  your  Maker  —  and 
I  shall  be  ready  to  advise  you." 

Feb.  9.  —  Referring  to  the  severe  attacks  of  illness 
to  which  a  literary  friend  was  subject,  Mr.  T.  says : 
"  They  affect  me  exceedingly  and  divest  life  of  its 
charms.  He  has  entered  upon  a  wide  sphere  of  use- 
fulness and  now  to  all  appearance  his  labors  are 
nearly  at  an  end.  May  God  sanctify  these  occur- 
rences to  me  and  lead  me  to  live  wholly  to  his  glory. 
25.  —  A  letteir  from  my  mother  brings  the  joyful  intel- 


188  MEMOIR    OP 

ligence  that  my  youngest  brother  has  become  hope- 
fully pious,  at  the  age  of  twelve  years.  Preached  in 
Methuen  yesterday ;  feel  that  I  have  not  enough  of 
the  meekness  of  Christ  to  be  a  minister." 

To  his  mother,  Feb.  26,  1831. 

"  Dear  Mother  :  —  Your  letter  was  so  full  of  good 
news  that  my  thoughts  have  had  no  respite  since  I 
read  it,  and  can  have  none  till  I  give  vent  to  them  in 
a  letter  to  you.  So  much,  however,  is  there  that  I 
'^Hsh  to  say,  and  so  little  time  in  which  to  say  it,  I 
must  rush  in  medias  res,  into  the  midst  of  things.  So 
overjoyed  was  I  to  hear  that  brother  Jeremiah  had 
become  hopefully  a  child  of  God,  I  could  for  awhile 
think  of  nothing  else.  Dear  mother,  notwithstanding 
our  poverty,  the  candle  of  the  Lord  shines  on  our 
heads ;  but  we  must  not  suffer  ourselves  to  be  elated, 
for  should  we,  our  joy  might  be  soon  exchanged  for 
sorrow.  Do  not  suppose  that  I  inquire  into  your 
affairs,  as  if  1  were  distrustful  of  your  economy.  I 
have  the  utmost  confidence  in  you  in  that  respect. 
My  simple  object  is,  to  know  how  to  calculate  in 
sending  you  money." 

A  detached  thought,  March  13. 

"  I  have  always  looked  wdth  contempt  upon  the 
practice  of  which  so  many  are  guilty,  in  praising 
excessively  their  fellow-creatures.  '  This  man  has  a 
wonderful  mind ; '  '  That  person  has  an  overwhelm- 
ing imagination ;  '  O  that  I  had  his  talents.'  I  have 
never  been  guilty  of  this  folly.  I  do,  indeed,  occa- 
sionally discover  men  who  far  surpass  their  fellows 
in  natural  powers  and  who  have  made  great  attain- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  189 

ments.  Such  men  are  valuable.  Their  company  is 
to  be  sought;  they  give  a  kind  of  inspiration  to 
every  thing  around  them.  Men  in  general,  however, 
are  much  alike ;  if  they  differ,  their  want  of  similar- 
ity is  in  a  great  measure  the  result  of  different 
degrees  of  effort.  It  may  be  taken  as  a  general  rule 
that  those  who  praise  others  extravagantly,  have 
themselves  no  discriminating  powers,  by  which  to 
learn  what  men  really  are." 

To  his  brother  T.,  March  20, 1831. 

"  Dear  Brother  :  —  You  may  have  thought  some 
parts  of  my  last  letter  were  too  severe,  but  I  presume 
my  motives  were  duly  appreciated.  The  subject  on 
which  I  dwelt  is  one  of  great  importance,  and  to 
whom  can  I  express  my  feelings  without  reserve,  if 
not  to  a  brother  ?  There  is  another  consideration  to 
be  taken  into  the  account.  If  you  obtain  an  educa- 
tion it  must  be  through  the  assistance  of  the  Ameri- 
can Education  Society.  Recollect,  that  in  such  a 
case  you  are  about  to  avail  yourself  of  the  charities 
of  the  church. 

"  I  behold  you,  then,  enlisted  in  the  cause  of  Christ, 
and  resolved  to  fight  under  his  banner.  God  speed 
you,  my  brother,  and  may  we  meet  together  amid 
transports  of  celestial  friendship  in  that  world  where 
the  Lord  God  is  the  light  of  his  people." 

Items.  "  Dyspepsia,  —  I  have  myself  been  entirely 
free  from  this  disease  until  very  lately,  when  it  has 
attacked  me  with  considerable  violence.  I  am 
inclined  to  think  that  it  was  induced  in  part  by  my 
living  among  dyspeptics." 


190  MEMOIR    OP 

"  I  seldom  arise  from  reading  a  system  of  Nosol- 
ogy without  trembling  for  the  body,  so  numerous  are 
the  maladies  to  which  it  is  constantly  exposed. 
There  are,  however,  several  sources  of  consolation. 
One  man  cannot  possibly  have  them  all.  The  most 
of  them  are  caused  by  irregularity  and  intemperance  ; 
and  consequently  will  be  shunned  by  a  temperate 
and  good  man.  Nearly  all  of  them  can  be  so  alle- 
viated by  medicine  as  to  be  made  tolerable,  or  be 
entirely  cured.  Religion,  if  enough  of  it  be  pos- 
sessed, can  prepare  one  to  bear  with  perfect  resigna- 
tion, every  affliction." 

Journal.  "April  5,  1831.  —  Finished  translating 
the  main  part  of  Reinhard.  26.  —  Preached  in 
Nashua,  and  had  some  strength  to  pray  that  I  may 
be  wholly  absorbed  in  the  glory  of  God.  Am  pre- 
paring to  publish  my  translation  of  Reinhard  ;  expect 
to  send  the  first  sheet  to  press  next  week. 

"  July  4.  —  Am  going  on  with  the  publication  of 
my  work.  Was  asked  the  other  day  if  I  would  con- 
sider a  call,  should  I  have  one,  to  go  to  Bangor, 
Maine,  as  a  teacher.  Was  invited  at  the  same  time 
to  go  there  and  instruct  in  Hebrew  till  autumn. 

"  Aug.  18.  —  I  am  thirty  years  of  age  ;  the  period 
of  life  at  which  Christ  entered  upon  his  ministry; 
perhaps  I  should  enter  at  once  upon  the  sacred  office. 
I  have  some  serious  doubts  as  to  what  course  I 
ought  to  take.  Shall  I  be  a  missionary  ?  How  unfit 
for  any  thing ! " 

Under  the  date  of  Sept.  11,  he  speaks  of  an  urgent 
request  to  preach  in  his  native  town,  as  the  venerable 
pastor  of  the  church  there  was  in  need  of  some  assist- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  191 

ance.  Near  the  close  of  the  month  his  translation  of 
Reinhard's  "  Plan  of  the  Founder  of  Christianity," 
was  issued  from  the  press.  Of  the  future  he  re- 
marks :  "  Am  in  a  quandary  about  plans." 

Journal.  "  Sept.  17.  —  I  am  about  to  part  with 
one  of  the  dearest  friends  I  have  on  earth,  Rev.  W.  S. 
Schauffler.  He  soon  embarks  for  Paris,  on  his  way 
as  missionary  to  the  Jews.  Feel  almost  as  if  I 
should  follow  him  in  a  few  months. 

"  Nov.  5.  —  Bade  farewell  to  Bro.  Emerson  and 
wife,  who  are  bound  to  the  Sandwich  Islands.  18. 
—  Have  seldom  suffered  more  mental  agony  than  I 
did  last  night.  I  know  that  all  is  right  and  yet 
when  my  fondest  earthly  hopes  are  blighted,  and 
every  prospect  of  success  in  life  is  cut  off,  the  mind 
is  distracted  and  the  heart  bleeds.  They  can  find 
relief  only  by  seeking  to  entwine  themselves  around 
with  a  Saviour's  love.  I  could  state  my  grievances 
and  enlarge  upon  them,  but  in  truth  I  half  suspect 
that  they  in  part  originate  in  myself." 

•  To  his  brother  T.,  Am.  College.     Autumn,  1831. 

"  It  is  of  the  highest  importance  that  you  should 
commence  well  in^all  your  college  duties,  but  attend, 
in  the  first  place,  to  your  soul.  See  that  you  are 
constantly  growing  in  grace.  On  no  account  neg- 
lect your  closet.  Do  not  think,  however,  that  the 
welfare  of  the  soul  requires  you  to  be  out  night  after 
night  at  religious  meetings ;  one  in  a  week  ordinarily 
is  sufficient.  Neither  listen  to  the  voice  of  inexpe- 
rience, which  is  constantly  speaking  against  the 
course  of  study  marked  out  by  wise  men.     Henry 


192  MEMOIR    OF 

Martyn  and  Buchanan  were  the  first  in  scholarship 
in  their  respective  classes,  and  yet  the  most  useful  of 
their  age  as  ministers  and  missionaries.  Attend 
faithfully  to  your  college  studies,  and  endeavor  to 
perfect  yourself  in  them.  I  hope  you  will  be  able 
so  to  manage  as  to  avoid  being  absent  from  college 
in  term  time." 

To  his  brother  Rufus,  Oct.,  1831. 

"  DeaRsJI.  —  I  had  heard  of  your  indulging  a  hope 
that  you  are  a  Christian,  and  I  rejoice  to  hear  you 
announce  the  same  in  your  letter.  Your  only  safety 
consists  in  living  near  the  throne  of  grace.  Recollect 
that  your  all  must  be  deposited  at  the  foot  of  the 
cross.  Aim  to  be  as  perfect  as  is  your  Father  in 
heaven,  though  assured  that  such  an  exalted  attain- 
ment awaits  you  only  beyond  the  grave.  My  advice 
is  that  you  set  apart  one  day  or  more  for  private 
prayer  and  fasting  before  you  commence  studies  pre- 
paratory for  the  ministry,  as  you  have  intimated  a 
desire  to  enter  that  sphere  of  usefulness.  If  you  are 
called  to  minister  at  the  altar,  you  will  be  carried 
through  the  preliminary  toils.  Woe  to  those  who 
attempt  to  preach  without  a  divine  summons." 

To  the  same  a  little  later. 

"  Dear  R.  :  —  It  has  long  been  a  settled  point  with 
me  never  to  attempt  to  control  my  brothers  in  their 
choice  of  pursuits  for  life.  That  I  have  a  preference 
for  them  in  the  matter  you  will  not  doubt.  But  all 
that  I  presume  to  do,  is  so  to  reason  with  them  as  to 
assist  them  in  seeing  the  path  of  duty.  I  am  fre- 
quently doubtful  as  to  what  my  own  course  should 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  193 

be,  and  sometimes  go  again  and  again  to  the  throne 
of  grace  for  instruction,  and  after  all  come  away  with 
a  trembling  anxiety  lest  I  may  decide  wrongly ;  yet 
I  perhaps  meet  a  person  the  next  moment  who  tells 
me  with  perfect  confidence  I  ought  to  do  so  and  so, 
as  if  he  were  fully  competent  to  decide  for  me.  You 
must  ask  yourself  as  in  the  fear  of  God,  what  your 
duty  is,  and  having  ascertained  it,  proceed  resolutely 
to  its  performance.  If,  then,  you  meet  with  difficul- 
ties, hesitate  not,  but  let  them  only  add  to  your  dili- 
gence. Say  to  yourself  I  can  see  the  path  of  duty, 
and  therefore  am  confident  God  will  help  me  sur- 
mount every  obstacle." 

Near  the  last  date  he  makes  this  record  in  his 
journal :  "  I  have  no  patrons  —  never  had  any  —  am 
obliged  to  push  my  way  everywhere,  and  yet  have 
no  disposition  to  crowd  myself  anywhere.  There  is 
a  course  full  of  glory,  and  I  must  bend  all  the  pow- 
ers of  my  soul  in  that  direction  —  must  be  self- 
denying  and  resigned  to  the  will  of  God." 

To  a  brother,  Jan.  1,  1832. 

"  Dear  T.  :  —  I  requested  you  to  write  me  often 
for  two  reasons.  I  desire  to  know  every  thing  about 
you  for  my  own  sake ;  and  I  also  wish  you  to  form 
the  habit  of  writing  letters,  giving  descriptions  of  the 
objects  around  you,  and  of  the  exercises  in  which 
you  are  engaged,  in  appropriate  and  familiar  lan- 
guage. Besides,  I  must  add  that  I  love  to  write  to 
you.  I  wish  you  to  tell  me  every  thing  about  your 
situation,  —  as  if  you  were  going  to  write  a  history 
17 


194  MEMOIB    OF 

for  publication  —  of  your  room,  studies,  associates, 
officers,  and  all.  In  doing  so,  I  desire  you  to  be 
what  I  call  mce,  but  not  to  use  college  hours  for  the 
purpose.  To  acquire  a  good  style,  you  must  read 
suitable  books.  The  best  epistolary  style,  and  per- 
haps the  best  letters  that  we  have  in  the  English 
language,  are  Cowper's ;  Gray's  are  elegant,  yet  too 
highly  wrought.  Byron's  are  excellent  of  the  kind, 
but  unsafe  on  account  of  the  character  of  the  writer, 
and  various  immoral  expressions.  To  these  you  may 
add  the  Spectator  of  Addison. 

"  In  my  last  you  recollect  that  I  urged  attention  to 
the  soul  as  the  first  concern.  Begin  and  end  each 
day  with  secret  prayer  and  the  reading  of  the  Bible. 
During  these  exercises  you  should  be  in  a  room  by 
yourself,  which  ought  to  be  so  comfortable  that  you 
will  not  be  tempted  to  hasten  from  it.  Spend  part 
of  the  evening  in  reviewing  the  day  just  closed. 
This  will  help  you  both  as  a  Christian  and  as  a 
scholar.  You  will  need  what  are  called  spiritual 
classics.  Of  these  the  Scriptures  stand  of  course  at 
the  head,  and  I  would  that  you  always  might  have  a 
heart  ready  to  kindle  with  true  devotion  when  you 
peruse  their  holy  pages.  Watts'  psalms  and  hymns 
are  highly  useful  for  frequent  private  perusal ;  and  I 
would  commend  to  you  such  memoirs  as  I  men- 
tioned in  a  letter  to  you  some  time  since.  A  college 
has  generally  been  found  unfavorable  to  the  growth 
of  piety,  and  you  must  exercise  great  caution  in  this 
respect,  or  you  will  be  injured.  I  hope  you  begin 
this  new  year  as  a  disciple  of  Christ.  You  may  not 
live  to  see  its  close." 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  195 

To  the  same,  Jan.  22. 

"  My  letters  to  you  are  not  what  I  could  wish,  as 
I  am  permitted  only  to  touch  upon  topics  respecting 
which  volumes  might  be  filled.  In  regard  to  the 
taking  care  of  your  health,  allow  me  to  say  that  you 
cannot  live  without  exercise.  If  you  neglect  it,  and 
study  as  you  ought,  you  will  certainly  break  down 
before  you  are  aware  of  it.  Great  caution  is  neces- 
sary in  relation  to  the  appetite.  Some  few  distin- 
guished students  have  ruined  themselves  by  too  great 
abstinence ;  but  the  mass  of  those  who  would  wish 
to  be  regarded  as  scholars,  injure  themselves  by  over 
indulgence.  Did  you  never  experience  those  serene, 
bright  moments,  when  your  mind  seemed  to  perform 
a  day's  work  in  an  hour  or  two  ?  Such  is  the  men- 
tal state  at  which  you  should  aim  before  sitting 
down  to  study.  It  is  the  brightness  of  the  mind  and 
not  the  sharpness  of  the  appetite  which  makes  the 
scholar.  Do  you  know  the  object  of  a  collegiate 
course  of  study  ?  There  is  gross  ignorance  on  this 
subject  among,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  pious  students. 
You  may  hear  such  remarks  as  the  following :  '•  I 
will  not  study  algebra,  it  cannot  help  me  to  write  a 
sermon.  What  have  I  to  do  with  conic  sections  ?  I 
am  looking  forward  to  the  ministry!'  Now  the 
great  object  of  study,  is  the  discipline  of  the  mind. 
True,  the  acquisition  of  knowledge  is  not  an  unim- 
portant consideration.  In  order  to  secure  the  requi- 
site discipline,  a  great  variety  of  studies  is  necessary. 
Those  very  branches  in  the  course  marked  out  for 
you,  and  which  indolence,  not  piety,  attempts  to  cry 
down,  are   essential.      An  analogy  exists   between 


196  MEMOIR    OF 

the  effects  of  appropriate  exercise  on  the  mind 
and  body.  The  sailor  from  much  use  acquires 
strong  arms  and  far-seeing  eyes ;  so  the  mind,  thor- 
oughly disciplined,  becomes  strong  and  sharp." 

Mr.  T.  almost  invariably  preached  somewhere  on 
the  Sabbkth.  Generally  it  was  at  convenient  dis- 
tances from  And  over. 

The  following  in, imitation  of  a  German  hymn, 
he  published,  by  request,  in  the  spring  of  1832  :  — 

"  Whate'er  God  docs,  is  kindly  done, 
And  justly,  though  severe ; 
Where'er  he  leads,  I'll  follow  on, 
_    And  faithfully  adhere ; 
In  all  these  pains. 
He  still  remains. 
My  guardian,  God,  and  guide, 
And  let  his  will  decide. 

"  "Whate'er  God  does,  is  kindly  done. 
As  all  will  shortly  see ; 
He  is  my  life,  my  daily  sun. 
And  cannot  injure  me ; 
In  joy  and  pain, 
No  more  complain, 
I'll  trust  his  tender  care. 
Assured  of  goodness  there. 

"  Whate'er  God  does,  is  kindly  done ; 
Though  bitter  now  the  cup, 
'T  is  tendered  by  a  skilful  one. 
And  I  must  drink  it  up  ; 
Sweet  joy  indeed 
Will  soon  succeed 
The  anguish  that  I  feel. 
And,  therefore,  peace,  be  still. 

"  Whate'er  God  does,  is  kindly  done  ; 
Nor  will  his  kindness  end. 


REV.    OLIVER   A.    TAYLOR.  197 

Though  rough  the  journey  that  I  run, 

And  misery  attend, 

"Within  his  arms 

When  fear  alai-ms, 

I  have  a  phice  to  hide, 

And  let  liis  will  decide. 

"  Whate'er  God  does,  is  kindly  done. 
And  welcome  to  the  pain ; 
I'll  calmly  trust  this  heavenly  One, 
Until  he  smile  again, 
Or  life  expires. 
And  my  desires, 
In  heaven  are  satisfied. 
And  let  his  will  decide." 


Journal.  "  April  2.  —  Am  studying*  the  Hebrew, 
the  Vulgate,  and  Septuagint  Scriptures;  am  also 
rewriting  my  History  of  the  Pulpit,  translated  some 
time  since.  24.  —  Receive  favorable  notices  of  my 
work,  '  The  Memoirs  and  Confessions  of  Reinhard,' 
from  almost  every  quarter.  Professor  Stuart  told  me 
yesterday  that  his  colleagues  and  himself  were  elec- 
trified by  some  parts  of  it,  especially  the  ninth  letter. 
29.  —  Preached  half  a  day  in  the  chapel  of  the  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  extempore.  Trembled  before  com- 
mencing, but  none  afterwards. 

"  May  13.  —  Had  an  invitation  to  undertake  the 
editorship  of  an  Encyclopedia  of  religious  knowl- 
edge, but  declined  it  for  the  present. 

"  June  9.  — '  Why  do  you  not  settle  ?  '  says  one,  — 
Because  I  wish  to  attend  to  some  studies  ivhich  others 
neglect.  What  contracted  minds  have  many  students  ; 
they  might  he  put  into  a  thimble  !  15.  —  The  other 
day  I  came  in  contact  with  what  is  termed  '  New 
Divinity^  as  exhibited  by  its  advocates,  and  was 
17* 


198  *  MEMOIR    OF  .  V   t 

surprised  to  discover  that  it  is  precisely  such  a 
theory  as  I  had  held  long  since  and  rejected  as 
untenable.^^ 

The  peculiar  style  of  Divinity  to  which  he  re- 
fers was  then  agitating  specially  the  Connecticut 
churches. 

To  a  brother,  July  20,  1832. 

"  Dear  T.  —  Nothing  gives  me  more  pleasure 
than  to  find  you  susceptible  to  the  charms  of  nature, 
and  to  see  that  susceptibility  increase  as  your  mind 
improves.  Without  it  I  cannot  believe  a  man  half 
a  man.  At  any  rate,  such  a  person  is  hardly  fit  to  be 
a  minister  of  the  gospel.  God  has  given  us  three 
books  to  read ;  that  of  nature  in  the  world  around 
us,  the  Scriptures,  and  the  book  of  experience.  The 
book  of  nature  comes  in  part  before  the  Bible,  but  is 
intimately  interwoven  with  it.  Owing  to  their  ina- 
bility to  read  the  book  of  nature,  the  great  mass  of 
ministers  fail  to  draw  illustrations  from  it,  and  hence 
are  dry,  uninteresting  preachers.  Look  at  the  sacred 
volume  in  this  respect.  Prophets,  under  divine 
inspiration  brought  illustrations  from  all  depart- 
ments of  nature.  The  heavens  are  said  to  declare 
the  glory  of  God  —  day  unto  day  uttereth  speech, 
and  night  unto  night  showeth  knowledge.  The  sun 
is  spoken  of  as  a  young  bridegroom  issuing  from  his 
chamber;  the  moon  as  walking  forth  in  majesty. 
God,  when  he  comes  to  the  aid  of  his  servants  is 
represented  as  flying  on  the  wings  of  the  wind, 
accompanied  with  lightnings  and  thunders  and 
burning  coals  of  fire.  The  stars  of  heaven  are  de- 
scribed as  fighting  in  their  courses  against  the  ene- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  199 

mies  of  God's  people.  Saul  and  Jonathan  are  said 
to  be  swifter  than  eagles  and  stronger  than  lions. 
Christ  compares  the  kingdom  of  heaven  to  a  grain 
of  mustard-seed;  the  hardened  gospel  sinner  to  a 
barren  fig-tree  ready  to  be  cut  down;  heaven  is 
depicted  as  a  perfect  paradise,  where  grows  the  tree 
of  life  which  yields  its  fruit  every  month,  and  where 
glides  the  meandering  river  that  issues  from  the 
throne  of  God.  To  be  able  to  make  an  efficient  use 
of  the  book  of  nature,  you  must  be  skilled  in  attrac- 
tive, descriptive  writing.  That  I  might  both  stimu- 
late and  aid  you,  I  have  requested  you  to  send  me 
on  paper  graphic  delineations  of  the  objects  with 
which  you  are  daily  conversant.  I  leave  you  to 
think  of  the  subject.  Let  me  say,  however,  be  totus 
in  il/is,  whatever  the  study  before  you.  *  Agros  et 
civitates  sapientia,  et  navem,  gubernat.' " 

In  a  letter  to  his  mother  about  this  time  he  says : 

"  I  see  that  time  is  soon,  very  soon  to  be  exchanged 
for  eternity ;  and  every  day,  nay  every  hour,  teaches 
me  more  and  more  the  wisdom  of  being  devoted 
wholly  to  the  glory  of  God.  I  am,  indeed,  engaged 
in  study,  but  desire  to  lay  every  acquisition  at  the 
feet  of  Jesus." 

Journal.  "  July.  —  A  letter  recently  from  my  mo- 
ther informs  me  of  the  death  of  aged  friends,  whose 
society  I  have  often  enjoyed  and  whose  memories 
are  precious.  Mother  thinks  it  strange  that  I  do  not 
visit  her.  She  does  not  realize,  I  presume,  how 
many  duties  I  must  neglect,  and  how  much  money 
expend  in  performing  the  journey  requisite  to  see 


200  MEMOIR    OP 

her.  —  Another  opportunity  to  settle  but  cannot  think 

of  accepting  it.     25.  —  Mr. called  upon  me  last 

Saturday  and  conversed  with  me  about  determina- 
tion, vascillation,  etc.  He  is  a  kind  man  and  I  love 
him,  but  why  will  people  perplex  others  with  their 
advice,  when  it  is  not  to  the  point?  That  I  am  in 
the  path  of  duty,  I  am  not  certain;  but  I  do  not 
pursue  my  present  course  without  reflection,  nor 
without  the  countenance  of  some  good  and  great 
men.  I  have  had  many  things  to  encounter  since 
my  residence  here  from  narrow-minded,  self-willed 
persons ;  though  many  of  them  have,  I  hope,  good 
hearts.  If  not  deceived  in  regard  to  myself,  I  desire 
to  be  lost  in  the  glory  of  God. 

«  Aug.  2,  1832.  —  The  last  two  Sabbaths  I  have 
preached  in  Bradford.  Enjoyed  pleasant  seasons 
there.  21.  —  Last  week  came  my  birthday ;  have 
entered  upon  my  32d  year.  Life  flies,  yet  how  little 
do  I  accomplish.  Cholera  spasmodica  is  in  the 
north  parish  of  this  town ;  four  cases  have  already 
occurred  and  one  death.  It  is  a  wonderful  disease 
—  no  body  understands  it.  The  Almighty  appears 
to  have  commissioned  Satan  to  remove  through  its 
agency  a  certain  number  of  victims.  I  am  sure  that 
our  only  security  especially  noiv,  is  in  God.  They 
that  trust  in  him  shall  be  as  mount  Zion.  I  feel  the 
necessity  of  being  found  at  the  post  of  duty,  and 
prepared  for  the  coming  of  the  Lord,  though  it  should 
be  as  a  thief  in  the  night. 

"  Still  engaged  in  prosecuting  the  study  of  Hebrew 
and  in  preparing  my  History  of  the  Pulpit  for  the  press. 
My  attention  in  Hebrew  has  been  for  some  time  past 
devoted  to  a  solution  of  the  use  of  the  tenses.     I  de- 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  201 

sire  to  see  Rev.  Eli  Smith,  our  missionary,  to  converse 
with  him  in  regard  to  their  use  in  the  Arabic.  This 
latter  language  I  am  now  studying  for  the  purpose 
of  obtaining  light  on  the  Hebrew.  My  method  in 
Hebrew  is  to  read  with  great  care  historical  passages, 
where  the  use  of  the  tenses  is  rendered  perfectly 
obvious  by  the  sense,  —  thus  proceeding  from  the 
easy  to  the  more  difficult.  I  hope  in  this  way  to 
ascertain  the  principles,  if  there  be  any,  at  least  the 
usus  loquendi  of  the  language,  in  respect  to  tenses. 
I  consult  no  grammars  till  I  have  formed  my  own 
theory.  A  good  exposition  of  the  manner  in  which 
the  Hebrews  employed  the  tenses  would,  I  am  per- 
suaded, throw  more  light  upon  the  meaning  of  some 
passages  of  Scripture ;  nay  upon  the  meaning  of  the 
entire  Old  Testament,  than  the  best  commentaries 
that  were  ever  written. 

"  Sept.  10.  —  I  study  and  pray  that  I  may  be 
wholly  given  up  to  the  service  of  God,  and  may  be 
useful  in  my  day  and  generation  ;  yet  I  seem  to  be 
useless.  O  it  is  good  to  be  at  God's  disposal;  I 
rejoice  in  his  sovereignty.  19.  —  Have  now  spent 
two  days  writing  family  history.  When  I  reflect 
upon  the  scenes  through  which  my  mother  and  my- 
self have  been  brought,  to  our  present  period  of 
comfort,  I  am  overwhelmed  and  burst  into  tears. 
May  the  lives  so  blessed  be  consecrated  to  the 
Author  of  all  good."  About  this  time  he  complains 
of  being  quite  ill,  of  suffering  severely,  and  says,  "  I 
shall  be  destroyed  if  I  do  not  get  relief."  At  a 
somewhat  later  date,  he  exclaims,  "  Oh  this  load  of 
imperfection !  No  calmness,  no  self-control,  all  pas- 
sion, all  error." 


202  MEMOIR    OF 

Items.  Speaking  of  truth  he  says :  "  Sometimes 
I  think  I  get  a  few  scattering  rays  of  it  from  God's 
eternal  throne,  and  O  what  light  and  happiness  they 
bring.  I  hold  on  to  them  as  his  best  gifts,  and  would 
humbly  stand  watching  for  more." 

"  In  what  a  wonderful  world  we  dwell.  How 
much  that  is  astounding  is  ready  on  every  side  to 
burst  upon  the  human  mind,  yet  thousands  live  and 
die  as  thoughtless  as  the  brutes." 

Having  read  an  exposure  of  some  of  Sweden- 
borg's  doctrines,  he  confesses  himself  shocked  at  the 
errors  of  that  system. 

"  In  committing  thoughts  to  memory  have  nothing 
to  do  with  mnemonics.  This  maxim  I  would  apply 
particularly  to  the  committing  of  sermons  to  mem- 
ory." 

"  The  Boston  Courier  of  today  announces  the 
death  of  Mr.  Jonas  King,  of  Hawley,  the  father  of 
the  missionary  in  Greece.  I  was  acquainted  with 
him  and  saw  him  when  I  was  last  in  that  town.  An 
excellent  old  man." 

To  his  brother  T.,  Nov.  11,  1832. 

"  Dear  Brother  :  —  I  was  glad  to  hear  that  you 
were  prospered  in  your  agencij^  and  now  expect  to 
spend  the  winter  in  college.  Remember  the  line  of 
Virgil  as  blessings  flow  in  upon  you :  '  O  Melibosey 
Dens  nobis  hcec  otia  fecit.''  May  our  hearts  go  out  in 
gratitude  to  that  Being  who  has  so  exceedingly  smiled 
upon  us  in  years  past,  and  who  is  now  presenting 
before  us  such  varied  encouragements  in  regard  to 
the  future.  Let  us  not  forget  that  prosperity  is  apt 
to  turn  away  the  heart  from  God.     In  this  view  of 


EEV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  203 

the  subject  I  confess  I  feel  that  honest  adversity  is 
preferable  to  dangerous  prosperity,  and  am  con- 
vinced, fully  convinced,  that  it  is  good  for  a  man  to 
bear  the  yoke  in  his  youth.  You  will  find  that  the 
greatest  of  men  have  been  trained  in  the  school  of 
adversity.  He  that  would  make  rapid  progress  in 
the  divine  life  must  submit  to  the  most  trying  temp- 
tations without  yielding  to  them. 

"  I  think  I  entered  into  your  feelings  as  you  repre- 
sent them  to  have  been  on  entering  Bennington,  your 
spiritual  birthplace.  They  give  me  more  hope  of  you 
than  ever ;  for  though  deep,  calm,  and  penetrating 
thought  is  to  be  specially  coveted,  susceptibility  of 
emotion  comes  next.  You  had  reason  to  feel  strong- 
ly, for  however  little  estimate  may  be  placed  in  this 
world  on  the  regeneration  of  a  soul,  heaven  is  filled 
with  joy  at  such  an  event.  We  should  dwell  de- 
voutly in  our  reflections  upon  the  time,  place,  and 
circumstances  of  our  first  drawing  celestial  breath. 

"  Sincerely  do  I  hope  you  will  never  need  a  cau- 
tion from  uie,  not  to  array  yourself  against  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  college.  Should  your  class  generally 
revolt,  let  no  occasion  induce  you  to  join  in  a  rebel- 
lion. Be  an  independent  thinker.  Stand  by  your 
instructors  if  every  student's  mouth  should  turn  into 
a  serpent's,  and  do  nothing  except  hiss  at  you.  In- 
evitably, cases  will  occur  in  which  tastes  cannot  be 
gratified.  Every  tutor  is  not  equally  agreeable.  Al- 
ways be  calm  and  reflect  upon  the  consequences  of 
each  step  you  are  about  to  take." 

Alluding,  in  December,  to  the  Indian  troubles  at 
the  south,  after  observing  that  the  Board  of  Foreign 


204  MEMOIR    OP 

Missions  are  withdrawing  their  suit  at  law,  and  ad- 
vising the  Cherokees  to  remove,  he  adds :  "  There  is 
reason  to  think  that  blood  must  flow  in  South  Caro- 
lina very  soon  if  it  have  not  already.  Liberty  may 
speedily  be  obliged  to  take  her  flight  from  this  her 
present  resting-place,  and  then  I  fear  from  the  earth 
forever." 

Writing  to  his  mother,  Jan.  12,  1833,  he  says :  — 

"  I  seldom,  if  ever,  think  of  imperfections  when  I 
read  your  letters,  but  peruse  them  with  your  image 
constantly  in  my  mind's  eye,  and  am  often  on  the 
point  of  weeping,  as  I  reflect  how  my  dear  mother 
TJnay  be  situated.  Much  and  anxiously  have  I 
thought  of  you  recently.  I  say  to  myself,  perhaps 
after  all,  my  mother  suffers  what  she  will  not  reveal 
to  me.  I  beg  of  you  to  procure  every  thing  neces- 
sary at  my  expense. 

"  At  times  I  feel  almost  like  flying  to  some  mission- 
ary region.  Certainly  I  think  much  of  my  brethren 
abroad,  and  have  just  broken  off"  from  writing  a  let- 
ter to  a  dear,  dear  friend  at  Constantinople.  Duty, 
however,  for  the  present  binds  me  I  think  here. 
Time  is  flying ;  the  death-angel  approaches  with  his 
red  gleaming  sword,  yet  as  a  messenger  of  mercy  to 
the  righteous.  This  is  a  sad,  sad  world.  Justice  is 
outraged.  The  Indian  and  African  are  oppressed. 
Ambitious  men  are  trying  to  destroy  the  beautiful 
vine  which  through  the  agency  of  our  fathers  was 
planted  here  with  peculiar  care.  But  an  avenging 
God  sits  on  the  throne  of  the  universe.  Sooner  or 
later  he  will  hurl  fiery  bolts  upon  the  foes  of  Zion. 
Hold  fast  to  your  Saviour,  my  dear  mother." 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  205 

The  dear  friend  to  whom  allusion  is  made  in  the 
last  letter,  was  Rev.  William  S.  Schauffler.  From 
him  the  compiler  has  received  the  ensuing  letter :  — 

"Pera,  Constantinople,  Nov.  25,  1853. 
"Very  dear  Sir: — I  received  your  line  this 
morning.  Immediately  I  looked  over  my  letters  so 
far  as  they  are  within  my  reach ;  but  I  did  it  more 
in  order  to  pay  due  attention  to  your  request  than 
for  any  hope  of  finding  what  you  desire.  The  fact 
la,  that  my  whole  correspondence  since  I  left  Amer- 
ica, up  to  1842,  is  still  in  the  hands  of  the  Police  of 
Vienna,  who  proceeded  against  me  that  year,  for 
holding  private  religious  meetings  in  that  city  where 
I  had  resided  three  years  for  the  purpose  of  printing 
the  Old  Testament  in  Hebrew  and  Hebrew- Spanish. 
I  was  quite  confident  that  since  my  return  from  there, 
I  had  received  no  letter  from  your  brother.  He  was 
my  Hebrew  teacher,  before  I  entered  the  Theological 
Seminary  at  Andover.  I,  in  return,  assisted  him  in 
his  translation  of  works  from  the  German  into  the 
English,  whenever  he  found  a  German  phrase  too 
knotty  and  complicated  for  him  to  untwist  and  recon- 
struct. We  were  very  intimate,  and  his  face  and 
person  are  perfectly  present  with  me  as  often  as  I 
recur  to  those  departed  days.  There  is  much  that  is 
tender  in  the  review  of  them.  They  were  as  happy 
as  earthly  days  can  be,  and  still  they  were  but  '  van- 
ity of  vanities,'  compared  with  that  *pure  delight 
where  saints  immortal  reign.'  But  there  is  a  rest 
yet  remaining  —  and  what  a  rest !  —  for  the  people  of 
God.  There  is  a  meeting  of  those  who  love  Christ, 
and  what  a  meeting! 

18 


206  MEMOIR    OF 

" '  There  is  a  land  mine  eye  hath  seen 
In  visions  of  enraptured  thouglit, 
So  bright  that  all  that  spreads  between 
Is  with  its  radiant  glories  fraught : 
A  land  upon  whose  matchless  shore 
There  rests  no  shadow,  falls  no  stain  ; 
Where  those  who  meet,  shall  part  no  more, 
And  those  long  parted,  meet  again.' 

"  Excuse  this  extract,  which  the  remembrance  of 

your  brother  and  mine,  Rev.  O.  A.  Taylor,  has  called 

to  my  mind. 

Truly  yours, 

"  W.  S.  SCHAUFFLER." 

Near  the  close  of  March,  1833,  Mr.  T.  speaks  of 
being  exceedingly  depressed  in  spirits ;  of  life  itself 
being  a  burden,  though  he  does  not  feel  entirely  for- 
saken of  God.  It  was  in  that  state  of  dejection, 
that  he  penned  the  following :  — 

"  I  stand  alone  on  the  bleak,  cold  earth,  unfanned 
by  a  single  zephyr,  unrefreshed  by  the  fragrance  of  a 
single  flower,  unwarmed  by  a  single  congenial  ray 
from  the  sun.  The  music  of  my  soul  within,  and 
the  music  of  the  world  without  that  once  thrilled  my 
heart,  filling  it  with  buoyant  hope  have  ceased. 
Gloomy  winter  plays  rudely  around  me,  I  feel  the 
chilling  blast ;  I  face  the  rough  tempest,  and  see  the 
wild  clouds  sweep  angrily  along  the  sky.  Full  of 
native  ardor  and  strong  with  youthful  nerve,  have  I 
withstood  the  rough  war  of  the  elements,  beckoning 
Heaven  for  relief;  but  Heaven  now  delays  to  aid.  The 
tempest  rolls  along  the  earth,  the  prospect  darkens, 
nature  sinks,  and  I,  exhausted,  feel  as  if  about  to  lie, 
down  and  die." 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  207 

In  April  we  find  him  expressing  himself  in  the 
following  animated  strain  :  — 

"  I  fall  in  love  with  the  benevolence  of  the  gospel 
and  thirst  to  be  engaged,  like  Oberlin  and  NefF,  in 
the  laborious  duties  of  a  missionary  pastor.  Let 
others  dwell  in  palaces  atid  stretch  themselves  on 
couches,  give  me  the  bleak  mountain,  the  dreary- 
valley,  or  an  Arabian  hamlet,  provided  God  be  with 
me  there." 

In  the  course  of  the  last-named  month  he  alludes 
to  the  effect  of  ill  health  on  dreams. 

"  I  have  been  troubled  with  dyspeptic  complaints 
for  some  time  past,  in  consequence  of  which  I  am 
frequently  troubled  with  unpleasant  dreams.  Re- 
cently I  have  written  a  review  of  Gurney  on  the 
Sabbath,  and  have  sent  it  to  the  editor  of  the  Spirit 
of  the  Pilgrims.  I  am  quite  anxious  about  its 
reception,  yet  feel  as  though  I  deserve  the  chastise- 
ment of  a  disappointment  from  the  hand  of  God. 
The  subject  has  frequently  been  in  my  mind,  causing 
gloomy  forebodings.  No  wonder,  then,  that  last 
night  I  dreamed  that  the  article  was  rejected  and 
even  sent  back  to  me  accompanied  with  some  severe 
remarks.  Now  all  this  may  turn  out  just  as  I  have 
dreamed  it,  but  a  correspondence  of  the  dream  with 
fact,  would  be  no  proof  of  supernaturalness  in  the 
dream."     The  article^  however^  ivas  received. 

Journal.  "  May  24.  —  Oh,  the  pangs  I  am  called 
to  feel ;  the  mental  agonies  to  endure  !  All  is  dark- 
ness! The  doors  of  usefulness  are  closed!  But 
stop  —  God  does  all  things  well.  25.  —  This  heart, 
I  fear,  will  break  —  will  break  with  its  own  calami- 


208  MEMOIR    OF 

ties !  And  yet  Heaven  is  jiisfc  and  merciful.  I  dare 
not  oppose  its  decrees,  or  murmur  at  the  sovereign 
will  of  the  Redeemer.'' 

Extracts  from  a  letter  to  a  friend,  dated  May  28, 
1833. 

"  Again  and  again  have  I  pictured  out  to  myself  a 
quiet  scene  away  from  the  bustle  of  the  world,  with 
a  few  hundred  parishioners  around  me,  looking  affec- 
tionately to  me  for  instruction.  I  have  imagined, 
that,  notwithstanding  the  present  religious  commo- 
tions, and  the  dismissal  of  ministers  so  frequently 
occurring,  I  could  find  such  a  location  and  such  a 
people,  and  after  laboring  with  them  during  my  life, 
could  lie  down  in  a  grave  strewn  with  the  flowers, 
and  watered  with  the  tears  of  their  kindntess  and 
love.  But  I  shrink  from  the  idea  of  such  enjoyment 
as  dangerous.  Believe  me,  there  is  more  in  the 
ministerial  office  than  is  commonly  supposed,  to 
entrap  the  soul.  I  feel  that  a  minister,  like  a  physi- 
cian, shonld  seek  places  where  disease  rages ;  places 
of  sickness  and  death,  if  he  would  be  skilful.  Let 
the  retiring,  the  pleasure-pursuing  Christian  seek 
mere  enjoyment.  I  consider  it  my  duty,  if  the  Lord 
permit,  to  traverse  the  desert,  labor  amid  disease  and 
pestilence,  and  even  to  expire,  at  length,  with  none 
but  angels  to  console  me  in  my  dying  moments. 
Hitherto,  I  have  been  bound.  Whether  the  Lord 
will  open  a  door  for  me  to  become  a  missionary 
very  soon  or  not  I  cannot  say.     His  will  be  done." 

About  the  first  of  Jane  he  says :  "  It  is  good,  good 
indeed,  to  feel  a  real  confidence  in  God  and  an  abso- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  209 

lute  dependence  on  him.  7.  —  Years  have  passed 
since  I  relinquished  the  use  of  coffee,  and  during 
much  of  the  time  I  have  taken  no  tea.  Listened 
this  evening  to  a  lecture  from  Dr.  Mussey  on  dietet- 
ics. It  was  worth  its  weight  in  gold.  He  has  con- 
vinced me  that  animal  food  had  better  be  laid  aside. 
I  design  to  eat  it  no  more,  unless  prescribed  by  a 
physician,  or  through  forgetfulness,  or  from  neces- 
sity." For  eight  or  ten  years  he  carried  out  this 
resolution. 

Items  in  June,  1833.  "  I  often  find  myself  irritated 
by  a  want  of  seriousness  on  the  part  of  those  with 
whom  I  am  conversing  in  the  most  serious  strain. 
This  morning  I  was  earnestly  engaged  in  discussing 
with  two  friends  the  doctrine  of  the  transmigration 
of  souls.  From  this  topic  we  passed  to  that  of  the 
Trinity,  and  thence  to  the  nature  of  the  soul.  These 
subjects  interested  me  exceedingly  and  I  expressed 
myself  accordingly.  The  other  persons  seemed  to 
enjoy  the  discussion,  but  they  were  inclined  to 
mingle  jokes  and  repartees  with  it.  I  did  not  lose 
my  temper,  but  I  was  tried. 

"  Rule  of  conduct :  Cease  to  converse  seriously 
yourself  at  such  times,  and  if  possible  change  the 
subject ;  if  not,  be  silent.  It  is  of  no  use  to  go  on 
in  such  a  case.  By  attempting  to  do  so,  you  lay 
yourself  open  to  the  ridicule  of  those  about  you ;  it 
being  perfectly  easy  for  the  veriest  blockhead  to 
make  sport  of  an  individual  who  is  deeply  engaged 
in  developing  the  most  serious  thoughts." 

"  The  devil  seems  to  take  note  of  all  resolutions 
18* 


210  MEMOIR    OF 

made  for  the  amendment  of  life.  I  find  myself  more 
subjected  to  temptations ;  more  liable  to  fall  into  sin 
after  having  formed  them.  This  fact  is  no  proof  that 
serious  resolves  are  not  good ;  but  it  should  stimulate 
us  to  cry  for  help  to  Him  who  is  strong,  that  we 
may  be  saved  from  the  evil  being  that  goes  about, 
as  a  roaring  lion,  seeking  whom  he  may  devour." 

"  Much,  far  too  much  is  said  about  our  importance 
in  this  world.  For  ourselves  it  is  important  that  we 
do  our  duty,  but  God  needs  us  not." 

Thoughts  penned  in  July,  1833. 

"  The  fame  of  this  world,  in  how  many  respects 
uncertain  I  Perhaps  the  true  poet's  comes  the  nearest 
to  being  immortal ;  but  even  his  is  subject  to  decline. 
Many  a  man,  whose  name  was  lauded  to  the  skies, 
while  living,  has  long  since  been  forgotten !  Whole 
nations  have  been  swept  away  and  with  them  all 
their  heroes  and  monuments  of  glory ;  nay,  even  the 
language  in  which  their  praises  were  sung,  has 
disappeared. 

"  Some  have  been  famed  on  earth,  because  they 
deceived  mankind ;  their  honors  were  unmerited  at 
the  time,  and  their  true  desert  has  very  often 
been  subsequently  discovered.  No  honor  is  of  any 
permanent  value  but  that  which  God  bestows.  I 
believe  when  the  Millennium  shall  come,  many  of  the 
ancient  heroes  of  the  world  will  be  regarded  with 
disgust.  Here  and  there  one  in  the  highest  sense 
of  the  term,  will  continue  to  shine  with  lustre ;  yea, 
become  more  and  more  brilliant,  till  he  shall  be  in 
brightness  like  the  sun  in  the  firmament.     But  such 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  211 

renowned  ones  will  not  belong  to  the  class  whose 
names  have  hitherto  been  trumpeted  the  most  loudly 
abroad.  That  poor  tiller  of  the  soil,  who  prayed 
faithfully  for  his  family  and  neighbors ;  or  the  pastor 
of  a  mountain  parish ;  or  the  self-denying  missionary 
in  the  dreariest  part  of  the  earth  may  be  the  truest 
hero.  There  is  a  plaudit  worth  hearing.  It  will 
send  a  thrill  of  joy  through  the  heart  of  the  redeemed 
sinner,  as  standing  before  his  Judge  he  shall  listen  to 
the  announcement,  '  Blessed  of  my  Father  I '  Yea, 
it  will  cause  that  heart  to  leap  for  joy  through  all 
eternity.  Woe  be  on  my  head  if  I  ever  substitute 
the  fame  of  the  world  for  the  honor  which  cometh 
from  God.  '  Them  that  honoreth  me,'  saith  the 
Eternal,  '  I  will  honor,  and  they  that  despise  me  shall 
be  lightly  esteemed  ; '  these  words,  unless  I  am  most 
sadly  and  wonderfully  deceived,  I  believe  from  the 
very  depths  of  my  soul." 

"  Ignorance  is  the  foundation  of  conjecture ;  hence 
good  men  may  sometimes  speculate  wildly,  especially 
among  their  intimate  friends ;  I  mean  wildly,  as  most 
would  say.  An  active  mind  almost  unavoidably 
seizes  hold  of  what  items  of  truth  it  can  find.  Such 
a  mind  starting  right  sometimes  glides  away  into  the 
region  of  error ;  yet  it  may  not  be  injured  if  it  carry 
along  solid  truth  enough  for  a  preservative ;  or  if  it 
cling  to  a  guiding  thread  while  tracing  the  windings 
of  the  labyrinth.  If  one  secure  a  sure  return  to 
sober  reality  he  may  safely  go  forth  on  the  wings  of 
fancy.  The  danger  is,  that  truth  will  be  left  out  of 
sight  and  never  again  be  discovered.  We  are  in- 
clined to  substitute  speculation  for  revealed  truth. 


212  MEMOIR    OF 

and,  ultimately,  if  unguarded,  we  may  be   left  to 
plunge  into  total  scepticism." 

Journal.  "  July  9, 1833.  —  The  wheels  of  my  soul 
move  heavily.  I  see  beauty  in  holiness,  but  cannot 
reach  it.  I  see  peace  and  happiness  before  the  faith- 
ful Christian,  yet  do  not  secure  them.  13.  —  I  deem 
it  my  duty  to  interfere  as  little  as  possible  with  the 
arrangements  of  divine  Providence.  Hence  adieu, 
forever  adieu,  to  every  thing  like  intrigue  for  station. 
I  cannot  reproach  myself  at  all  with  it.  Never  have 
I  sought  eminent  places.  The  most  that  I  at  any 
time  have  done,  has  been  to  speak  with  some  friend 
in  regard  to  openings.  19.  —  Long  have  I  regarded 
the  complete  government  of  the  tongue  as  a  very 
difficult  attainment.  I  have  erred  in  not  controlling 
mine;  though  it  does  seem  to  me  that  I  am  not 
altogether  neglectful  of  this  duty.  There  are  spe- 
cial reasons  why  I  should  be  on  my  guard  at  this 
time.  I  hope  to  get  entirely  the  management  of  this 
important,  though  unruly  member.  What  ministers 
of  the  gospel  say  should  not  be  incautiously  said. 
Let  me  suffer  wrong  rather  than  do  it ;  treating  even 
the  cruel  with  forbearance." 

Under  the  last  date  he  also  observes,  "  I  know  not 
that  I  am  a  Christian,  but  of  this  I  am  certain,  viz., 
that  I  am  constantly  making  new  discoveries  respect- 
ing the  state  of  my  heart.  Every  year  I  find  depths 
of  wickedness  in  it  of  which  I  was  not  before  aware. 
This  leads  me  to  fear  that  much  evil  still  lies  there 
concealed.  I  wonder  not  that  the  Holy  Spirit  resides 
no  more  in  it.     My  wonder  rather  is,  that  he  remains 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  213 

there  at  all.     Impressed  with  these  thoughts  how  can 
I  help  praying  most  fervently,  Search  me,  O  God  ?  " 

The  following  belongs  here  chronologically :  — 

"  I  attended  some  time  since  to  the  subject  of  He- 
brew cantillation  or  chanting ;  examined  Jablonsky's 
Hebrew  Bible  for  a:  specimen  (other  specimens  are  to 
be  found  in  Burney's  History  of  Music),  and  ascer- 
tained that  the  Hebrew  accents  are  nothing  but 
musical  notes  and  are  of  great  antiquity.  To  the 
above  I  ought,  perhaps,  to  add  what  I  heard  from 
Mr.  Seixas  yesterday,  namely,  that  Jews  from  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  world,  even  when  they  have  had  no 
intercommunication  for  centuries,  agree  mainly  in 
their  cantillations  or  chantings." 

Journal.  "  Aug.  2,  1833.  —  Am  supplying  the 
pulpit  in  Byfield  for  the  present.  Have  become 
much  attached  to  the  people,  and  they  have  re- 
quested permission  to  consider  me  as  a  candidate 
for  settlement;  this,  however,  I  could  not  grant, 
though  I  have  much  solemn  querying  as  to  duty. 
Am  studying  Rabbinic.  Mr.  Seixas  assists  me 
when  needful.  Shall  I  continue  my  residence  at 
A.  ?  If  I  quit  now,  my  work  is  unfinished.  Adieu 
to  the  study  of  the  languages,  when  one  becomes  a 
pastor,  if  he  be  not  already  an  adept  in  them.  But 
am  I  not  wasting  my  talents?  These  questions 
press  heavily  upon  me.  It  does  seem  to  me  that  I 
would  not  avoid  the  path  of  duty  for  worlds." 

In  August  he  wrote  the  following :  — 

"  Seemingly   some    people    are    destined    to    be 


214  MEMOIR    OF 

crushed.  Their  very  joys  appear  designed  to  ren- 
der subsequent  pain  more  severe.  How  wTetched  is 
that  man  who  is  obliged  to  live  from  year  to  year 
upon  the  air-castle  buildings  of  hope,  amidst  pov- 
erty and  the  fear  of  being  unsuccessful  in  study. 
My  heart  is  sometimes  full  and  ready  to  burst,  and 
yet  I  would  not  open  my  mouth  in  murmurings 
against  God.  I  am  tossed  upon  billows.  Hope  and 
fear  alternate.  Now  I  am  exalted  to  heaven ;  now 
cast  down  to  the  very  gate  of  hell.  I  am  afraid  I 
shall  never  get  through  the  storm  and  enjoy  the  sun's 
bright  radiance.  I  fear  I  shall  never  be  where  I  can 
attempt  any  thing  of  importance  in  the  kingdom  of 
the  Redeemer.  How  can  one  make  progress  when 
he  sees  nothing  before  him  but  threatening  rocks, 
craggy  mountains,  and  active  volcanos  ?  Help  me, 
God  of  heaven,  to  meet  the  tempest  and  buffet  the 
rough  billows ;  help  me  to  sail  on  alone  and  cheer- 
less ;  help  me  to  press  forward,  dreadful  as  the  com- 
bat may  be,  and  wait  with  patience  for  the  openings 
of  heaven. 

"  Despair  with  her  dark  clouds  envelops  me,  and 
where  can  I  find  sympathy  ?  God  of  heaven,  only 
in  thine  eternal,  thy  changeless  love." 

The  day  after  writing  the  preceding  he  says :  — 

"  It  will  not  answer  to  brood  so  much  as  I  do  over 
past  disappointments.  He  who  stands  gazing  back 
and  constantly  regretting  that  he  must  leave  the 
landscape  behind  him  will  never  enjoy  the  one  before 
him.  How  unwise  when  I  see  such  sources  of  con- 
solation all  around  me,  and  so  much  to  be  done  on 
every  side,  to  suffer  a  little  trifle  to  steal  from  me 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  215 

two  or  three  days  of  study.  Let  misfortune  incite 
me  to  new  prayerfulness  and  spur  me  on  in  every 
duty." 

A  scene  in  West  Newbury,  Sept.  1833. 

"  I  arose  early  this  morning  and  took  a  walk. 
Well  was  I  repaid  for  the  effort,  as  I  returned,  with 
fresh  vigor,  to  my  room.  What,  however,  made  it 
particularly  interesting  was  my  visiting  '  Archelaus^ 
Hil^  one  of  the  highest  points  in  this  region  and 
which  commands  one  of  the  most  beautiful  prospects 
in  New  England,  as  I  am  informed  Dr.  Dwight  re- 
marks somewhere  in  his  '  Travels.' 

"  A  dark  cloud  was  rising  in  the  west,  portending 
a  shower,  which  ultimately  overtook  me  and  pre- 
vented my  obtaining  a  distinct  view  of  the  land- 
scape in  that  quarter ;  but  the  sun  had  arisen  in  the 
east,  obscured  by  only  a  few  clouds,  while  the  sky  was 
clear  in  the  south.  From  this  hill,  therefore,  I  could 
see  for  many  miles  around  me.  West  Newbury, 
first  parish,  lay  at  my  feet  on  the  east,  and  the  sec- 
ond parish  spread  around  me  on  the  west.  Villages 
and  orchards  and  herds  of  cattle  were  to  be  seen  on 
every  side ;  while  at  a  greater  distance  were  other 
villages  and  the  silently  gliding  but  admirable  Mer- 
rimack. All  along  the  east  the  broad  Atlantic 
opened  to  my  view. 

"  I  gave  myself  up  to  contemplation  and  consecra- 
tory  prayer  till  voices  at  a  distance  indicated  the 
coming  thither  of  other  persons,  when  I  hastened 
down.  My  thoughts  on  this  occasion  have  been 
similar  to  those  which  rushed  into  my  mind  about 
two  weeks  since,  when  with  a  beautiful  sky  above  and 


216  MEMOIR    OF 

balmy  air  around  me,  I  beheld  the  sun  rise  as  I  stood 
on  the  hill  east  of  West  Newbury  second  parish 
meeting-house.  Gazing  upon  the  scenery,  I  then 
said  to  myself,  all  this  had  an  author,  and  how  great 
its  author  must  be.  Yet  this  is  but  a  sample,  a  very 
minute  sample  of  his  works.  Moreover,  this  Creator 
is  my  Father,  and  what  an  interest  does  he  take  in 
his  children!  He  has  promised  them  glories  with 
which  the  objects  by  which  I  am  surrounded  bear  no 
comparison. 

"  Under  such  circumstances  as  these,  it  is  painful 
to  be  forced  to  remember  that  this  world  is  filled  with 
sin,  misery,  cruelty,  and  death.  Shall  not  the  day 
come  when  earth  will  be  purified  and  enjoy  a  blissful 
millennium?  Not  so  was  this  earth  defiled  when 
the  sun  first  rose  upon  it,  and  yet  the  same  sun  now 
shining  then  shone. 

"  As  I  stood  on  the  hill  and  caught  glimpses  of 
the  distant  ocean,  majestic  and  inspiring,  so  shall  I, 
if  a  Christian,  often  from  the  elevated  scenes  of  my 
life  catch  a  glimpse  of  eternity,  as  Bunyan's  shep- 
herds did  of  the  celestial  city  from  the  top  of  the 
Delectable  Mountains.  Farewell,  charming  hill,  what 
instruction  I  have  derived  from  visiting  thee ! 

"  O  beauteous  world,  on  every  side  I  see 
My  Maker's  glory  shining  clear  in  thee. 
These  hills,  and  dales,  and  birds,  and  flowers,  and  streams. 
Yon  sun,  tho^e  heavens,  and  their  celestial  beams, 
All,  all  from  him  bright  radiance  on  me  pour. 
While  I  afar  both  tremble  and  adore." 

Sept.,  1833.  Having  visited  a  menagerie  of  wild 
animals,  he  writes  out  a  description  of  each,  and 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  217 

then  proceeds  to  moralize  on  the  works  of  the  Cre- 
ator. "  How  truly  may  it  be  said  that  man  alone  is 
made  in  the  image  of  God.  How  wonderfully 
diversified  the  works  of  Jehovah  are  —  sometimes 
majestic  and  grand,  sometimes  playful,  and  some- 
times terrific.  Now  God  wields  the  thunder-bolt; 
now  wheels  the  blazing  comet  through  the  wide 
fields  of  space,  and  now  stoops  to  the  control  of  a 
tiger,  or  a  lion,  or  a  worm.  Who  by  searching  can 
find  out  God  ?  And  yet,  judging  from  what  we  see 
in  his  providential  administration,  are  we  not  com- 
pelled to  admit,  that  he  will  probably  execute  justice 
upon  the  finally  impenitent  even  to  the  utmost  ?  " 

Sept.,  1833.  "  Why  should  we  in  a  world  of  sin- 
ners and  imperfect  Christians  expect  justice  done  us, 
or  murmur  because  some  of  our  fond  anticipations 
in  regard  to  life  are  not  realized  ?  Often  do  we  find 
men  acting  year  after  year  under  the  influence  of 
prejudice.  On  the  other  hand,  many  persons  look  to 
individuals  for  patronage  from  whom  they  have  no 
reason  to  expect  it,  and  are  unjustly  displeased 
because  they  are  disappointed."  Having  about  this 
time  been  defeated  in  a  plan  on  which  he  appears  to 
have  doted,  he  thus  describes  his  emotions :  "  I 
walked  in  order  to  soothe  my  feelings,  and  retiring 
to  a  wood,  threw  myself  upon  the  ground,  and  burst 
into  a  flood  of  tears,  which,  for  some  minutes,  I  could 
not  suppress ;  but  I  endeavored  to  resign  myself  with 
calmness  to  the  sovereign  will  of  God,  and  to  feel 
that  he  does  all  things  well.  I  felt  that  I  had  been 
wronged  and  yet  was  not  certain  that  I  was  in  the 
right,  and  hence,  however  severely  wounded  I  might 
be,  I  was  afraid  to  complain." 
19 


218  MEMOIR    OF 

"  West  Newbury,  Sept.,  1833.  I  have  a  fondness 
for  little  children  and  think  I  feel  a  ready  sympathy 
with  them  in  their  pains,  but  I  never  before  expe- 
rienced those  emotions  under  whiph  Legh  Richmond 
wrote  on  a  certain  occasion,  (when  he  speaks  of  his 
children  dying  of  the  dropsy,)  in  so  vivid  a  degree  as 
today,  when  I  saw  a  little  boy  threatened  with  a 
permanent  lameness  in  the  knee,  trying  to  walk.  I 
have  a  similar  feeling  whenever  I  think  of  a  sister  of 
mine,  who  has  long  been  afflicted  with  illness.  Her 
trials  have  so  attached  me  to  her  that  she  is  more  in 
my  mind  than  all  the  rest  of  my  brothers  and  sisters. 
This  is  a  kind  provision  of  the  God  of  nature,  who 
has  in  some  way  or  other  provided  wisely  for  all, 
according  to  their  varied  necessities." 

In  the  last  named  month  he  made  a  visit  to  his 
motheri  On  his  way  he  passed  a  night  in  Worcester. 
Waiting  for  the  morning  stage,  he  walked  to  the  In- 
sane Hospital.  The  hour  being  too  early  for  him  to 
gain  admittance,  he  surveyed  the  premises  for  awhile 
and  then  took  a  position  in  the  rear  of  the  buildings 
near  that  part  in  which  some  of  the  inmates  are  kept 
in  close  confinement.  There  he  remained  some  time 
listening  to  the  various  expressions  of  the  insane. 
One  class  was  singing  merrily,  another  was  uttering 
groans  and  curses.  While  he  heard,  he  philoso- 
phized :  "  As  I  was  coming  away,  said  I,  mentally, 
let  me  woo  thee.  Wisdom,  wherever  I  wander,  whether 
straying  alone  over  fields,  passing  by  gushing  foun- 
tains, or  along  warbling  streams,  or  climbing  pre- 
cipitous heights.  Everywhere,  let  me  watch  for  thy 
smiles  and  the  opening  of  thy  gates.  I  am  a  stran- 
ger and  pilgrim  here  below,  but  would  not  be  a 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  219 

stranger  to  thee,  for  thou  criest  without  and  utterest 
thy  voice  in  the  street.  He  that  seeks  for  thee  as  for 
hid  treasure,  shall  surely  find  thee.  The  righteous 
will  soon  be  introduced  to  the  fountain  whence  all 
true  wisdom  flows  in  a  stream  as  clear  as  crystal. 
O  may  I  sit  upon  the  borders  of  that  stream  and  gaze 
upon  its  purity.  In  its  waters  may  I  often  lave  my- 
self and  exult  forever  in  the  fruitions  prepared  for  the 
truly  wise." 

The  following  was  penned  while  on  that  visit  to 
his  mother:  — 

"  How  evident  it  is,  that  all  things  are  under  the 
control  of  God.  Nothing  is  confused  so  far  as  phys- 
ical nature  is  concerned,  and  even  the  disorders 
occasioned  in  our  moral  natures  by  sin,  are  made  to 
turn  to  some  good  account.  Yes,  it  is  true,  emphat- 
ically true,  that  not  a  sparrow  falls  to  the  ground 
without  his  notice.  It  is,  indeed,  sometimes  difficult 
for  us  to  trace  the  finger  of  Providence,  and  also  to 
reconcile  the  divine  agency  with  the  free  agency  of 
man.  This  difficulty,  however,  arises  from  our  short- 
sightedness. Could  we  look  through  a  train  of  events 
at  a  single  glance,  we  should  be  able  to  see  the  truth 
in  regard  to  it  with  greater  clearness  than  we  do.  Is 
God  any  the  less  the  author  of  an  event,  because  it 
seems  to  us  to  be  the  result  of  physical  causes  ? 

"  I  am  fond  of  walking  upon  the  sea-shore,  espe- 
cially where  it  is  high  and  abounds  with  mossy 
rocks,  and  where  the  waves  break  furiously  upon 
them,  as  is  generally  the  case  after  a  storm.  Often, 
when  I  was  residing  at  Gloucester,  I  walked  down 
to  the  easterly  extremity  of  the  cape  to  witness  such 
a  scene.     There  the  billows  rise  high  and  dash  with 


220  MEMOIR    OF 

fury  upon  the  rocks  or  fall  in  foam  at  my  feet.  Oc- 
cupying now  in  imagination  such  a  position,  I  fancy 
ta  myself  that  I  see  a  white  speck  in  the  horizon, 
which,  however,  proves  to  be  a  merchant  vessel,  con- 
taining many  of  my  acquaintances,  and  among 
them,  is  my  father.  Inevitable  destruction  is  before 
them.  They  see  it,  and  cry  for  help,  but  all  effort  is 
in  vain.  The  vessel  is  driven  upon  a  rock,  and  is 
rent  in  pieces.  I  am  almost  petrified  at  the  sight 
and  know  not  what  to  think.  Many  wives  are  thus 
made  widows  and  children  fatherless.  Some  of  the 
lost,  were  men  of  great  and  happy  influence  in 
society  —  others  were  miserable  beings  and  utterly 
unprepared  for  death.  The  scene  at  first  appears  in- 
explicable,—  but  let  me  examine  a  little  more  closely 
and  perhaps  I  shall  perceive  something  which  will 
lessen  the  difficulty  of  reconciling  it  with  the  Cre- 
ator's benevolence. 

•  "  Here  comes  a  person  the  only  one  who  has 
escaped  from  the  wreck.  He  tells  me  that  my  father, 
though  sorry  to  leave  his  wife  and  children  in  a  rude 
world,  said  he  could  willingly  submit  himself  to  the 
direction  of  Heaven.  He  triumphed  in  the  dawning 
of  immortality,  his  soul  being  fired  with  zeal  to  see 
his  Saviour.  His  fellow  passengers  collected  around 
him  and  he  commended  them  all  to  the  mercy  of 
God.  Nor  was  he  alone  in  his  benevolent  efforts ; 
for  there  were  others  on  board  who  spoke  of  Jesus, 
and  pointed  the  sinner  to  him  as  the  Lamb  of  God. 
While  some  were  stupid,  and  others  were  cursing  and 
swearing,  a  number  cried  for  mercy  and  appeared 
penitent.  Says  the  rescued  man,  I  was  one  of  the 
latter  and  I  hope  I  shall  never  forget  that  moment  of 


REV.    OLIVER   A.    TAYLOR.  221 

anguish ;  nay,  I  hope  hereafter  to  devote  my  life  to 
Christ  who  redeemed  my  soul  from  hell  and  my 
body  from  a  watery  grave.  Several  of  my  compan- 
ions seemed  like  myself,  to  have  heard  for  the  first 
time  of  a  Saviour,  and  they  were  in  a  moment  trans- 
ferred from  the  depths  of  despair  to  ecstatic  joy. 
One  of  these  was  just  saying,  all  is  loell,  all  is  well, 
when  our  ship  was  dashed  in  pieces.  Myself  es- 
caped as  by  a  miracle.  I  seemed  lost  in  a  dream 
until  I  found  I  was  alive  on  the  shore. 

"  Already  I  see  much  to  quiet  my  mind  and  to 
convince  me  that  this  shipwreck  is  no  accident.  God 
has  for  a  wise  purpose  permitted  it.  Righteous 
persons  have  indeed  been  swept  away,  but  they  were 
ripe  for  glory  and  their  transit  was  safe,  though  sud- 
den, from  this  world  to  that  of  bliss.  Besides,  their 
presence  was  necessary  in  that  vessel  for  the  sake  of 
mutual  comfort  and  edification,  and  also  for  the  con- 
version of  those  who  were  brought  to  repentance. 

"  And  let  us  indulge  a  little  in  imagining  other 
effects.  It  is  true  these  good  men  have  been  taken 
away  from  fields  of  usefulness,  but  the  history  of 
their  death  as  related  by  him  who  escaped,  may  be 
the  occasion  of  the  salvation  of  some  who  shall 
become  ministers  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  and  preach 
it  to  the  distant  heathen.  The  churches  with  which 
those  wrecked  Christians  were  united  may  be  aroused 
by  this  loss  from  long  continued  stupidity.  News 
of  the  death  of  those  pious  men  may  spread  like  a 
flame  and  prove  a  coal  from  God's  altar,  till  revival 
be  added  to  revival.  Widows  and  orphans  have, 
indeed,  been  made,  but  new  streams  of  charity  will 
consequently  flow  from  the  sympathetic  and  benev- 
19* 


222  MEMOIR    OP 

olent.  I  have  lost  a  kiad  father,  but  the  event  will,  I 
trust,  lead  me  to  seek  more  zealously  the  honor  of 
my  Father  in  heaven  and  his  friendship.  I  smart 
beneath  the  rod,  yet  I  hope  to  be  made  better  by  it. 
Moreover,  I  seem  to  see  the  saved  young  man 
becoming  a  herald  of  salvation  and  turning  many 
to  righteousness.  Besides,  he  informs  me  that  only 
the  night  previous  to  the  wrecking  of  the  ship,  he 
and  several  associates  had  resolved  to  abandon  them- 
selves to  the  life  of  pirates.  I  can  also  see  many 
other  good  results  from  what  in  itself  seemed  heart- 
rending." 

A  personal  allegory,  written  probably  not  far  from 
the  time  of  the  preceding. 

"  When  I  first  entered  actively  on  the  scenes  of 
life,  I  was  sensible  that  my  only  patron  was  the  God 
of  heaven,  and  that  a  thousand  dangers  lay  in  my 
way.  My  first  resolve  was  to  remember  the  many 
precepts  I  had  heard  from  my  father,  also  the  prayers 
and  pious  exhortations  of  my  mother,  and  binding 
the  Bible  to  my  heart,  to  take  it  as  my  guide.  I  had 
professed  the  religion  of  Jesus,  and  theoretically  knew 
what  it  is  to  be  his  disciple. 

"  It  was  a  beautiful  morning  in  spring ;  opening 
flowers  and  singing  birds  were  adding  charms  to  the 
season.  Every  thing  seemed  to  invite  me  on,  and  with 
blithesome  steps  I  hastened  forward,  forgetful  of  my 
resolve,  and  strayed  from  a  safe  course.  Still  I  felt 
no  alarm ;  objects  about  me  appeared  cheerful.  My 
path,  too,  lay  beside  the  one  I  had  purposed  to  pur- 
sue and  I  imagined,  as  did  '  Christian  and  Hopeful ' 
once,  under  similar  circumstances,  that  the  two 
would  soon  run  into  one.     1  had  not  long  travelled 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  223 

thus  when  Pleasure,  gaily  attired  and  of  fascinating 
demeanor,  offered  herself  as  my  companion.  We 
strayed  together.  At  length  lightnings  flashed  around 
me  and  thunders  broke  in  long  and  successive  peals 
over  my  head.  I  looked  around  me  for  my  compan- 
ion, but  she  had  vanished  from  my  sight.  Thinking 
I  should  quickly  secure  safety  I  rushed  onward,  but 
gloomy  darkness  came  over  me.  I  found  myself  in 
a  dismal  entangling  forest  filled  with  precipices,  cat- 
aracts, wild  beasts,  and  frightful  serpents.  Overcome 
with  terrors  I  fainted  and  sunk  down  in  despair.  A 
storm  in  the  soul  ensued.  Now  I  perceived  myself 
on  the  verge  of  a  volcano.  The  earth  trembled  and 
seemed  sinking  beneath  me,  clouds  of  smoke  rolled 
over  me,  and  flames  of  fire  flashed  in  my  face.  De- 
mons rushed  toward  me  ;  I  saw  myself  at  the  mouth 
of  hell  and  beheld  the  yawning  gulf  just  ready  to 
receive  me,  but  something  seemed  to  whisper  into 
my  ear,  '•Calvary,''  I  thought  of  the  thief  on  the 
cross,  and  breathed  forth  a  prayer  to  the  Saviour. 
Long  had  I  forgotten  him,  but  he  had  not  forgotten 
me.  I  felt  that  my  prayer  was  heard ;  I  knew  my 
deliverer,  and  knelt  to  give  him  thanks.  Often  since, 
when  I  have  sought  him  he  has  concealed  himself; 
yet  I  feel  that  he  is  my  beloved.  O,  he  will  not  leave 
me ;  my  beloved  will  not  leave  me.  But  never  can 
I  forget  how  I  then  strayed  from  the  path  of  duty ; 
never  shall  I  forget  the  coldness  and  indifference  of 
heart  which  brought  me  so  near  the  abyss,  nor  the 
moment  when  I  awoke  and  found  myself  on  the  very 
border  of  the  pit." 

The  visit  to  his  mother  already  mentioned  was 
made  Sept.  20.     He  passed  a  few  weeks  with  her, 


224  MEMOIR   OP 

preaching  at  least  once  on  each  Sabbath  ;  and  several 
times  at  a  protracted  meeting-  held  in  the  parish  where 
she  resided.  People  expressed  the  deepest  interest 
in  his  discourses,  and  some  it  was  believed  became 
savingly  acquainted  with  the  truth  as  proclaimed  by 
him.  When  the  time  arrived  for  his  return  to  the 
seclusion  of  his  Andover  study,  he  seemed  to  go 
reluctantly.  With  what  emotions  he  bade  farewell 
to  the  maternal  dwelling  he  has  informed  us. 

"  Toward  night  my  mother  proposed  to  accompany 
me  as  far  as  Rev.  Mr.  Grout's,  and  there  pass  the 
night.  She  set  out  on  foot  a  little  before  sundown. 
I  lingered  awhile  at  home.  Was  pained  at  the 
thought  of  leaving;  more  so  than  ever  before,  for 
never  have  I  had  so  sweet  a  visit  as  this  last  with 
my  mother.  I  walked  back  and  forth  in  the  room 
where  my  sick  sister  sat  upon  the  side  of  the  bed. 
Must  I  leave  thee,  dear  mother?  and  thee,  dear,  dear, 
sacred  spot,  how  can  I  leave  thee  ?  My  heart  was 
full,  and  the  tears  started  to  my  eyes,  when,  after 
having  gazed  around  me  upon  every  object,  within 
and  without  the  dwelling  of  my  mother,  I  bade  poor 
weeping  Mary  farewell,  fearful  that  under  such  pleas- 
ant circumstances  I  should  never  see  her  again  ;  nay, 
fearful  that  I  should  no  more  see  her,  as  it  is  thought 
her  complaint  may  shortly  terminate  her  life. 

"  Slowly  I  climbed  the  hill,  endeavoring  to  throw 
my  sad  feelings  into  a  poetic  form,  and  often  turning 
to  catch  another  and  another  glimpse  of  the  widow's 
white  cottage  and  little  barn,  till  the  final  one  had 
been  taken,  and  the  scene  faded  from  my  view.  I 
spent  the  night  in  company  with  my  mother,  at  Mr. 
Grout's.     The  next  day  being  rainy,  I  did  not  leave 


KEY.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  225 

there  until  three  in  the  afternoon.  We  both  shook 
hands  with  Mr.  G.,  who  wept,  and  remarked,  he 
feared  I  should  never  see  him  again.  On  saluting 
him  at  my  arrival,  T  had  called  him  my  father. 

"  Mother  left  for  home,  and  I  started  on  my  jour- 
ney. She  had  charged  me  not  to  say  much  to  her, 
when  we  should  take  leave  of  each  other.  Often  had 
we  met  and  parted,  but  never  before  had  I  enjoyed 
so  delightful  a  visit.  Since  our  last  interview,  my 
three  brothers  had  made  a  profession  of  rehgion,  and 
two  of  them  had  entered  college ;  the  eldest  and  the 
youngest  of  my  sisters  had  entered  the  marriage 
state.  Having  gone  a  little  way  with  my  mother,  I 
left  her  to  wend  her  way  home,  while  the  storm  was 
beating  upon  her,  and  I  pursued  my  journey  in  an 
opposite  direction,  offering  up  prayers  on  her  behalf, 
that  she  might  be  blessed  on  earth,  and  find  at  length 
eternal  peace,  beyond  the  grave." 

On  his  return  journey  he  visited  Amherst  where 
his  brothers  T.  and  R.  were  members  of  college.  By 
invitation  he  spent  a  Sabbath  in  the  family  of  Dr. 
Humphrey,  and  preached  in  the  chapel,  on  the  after- 
noon of  that  day. 

He  also  ascended  Mount  Holyoke  and  some  of  his 
reflections  penned  while  on  that  celebrated  resort  are 
here  subjoined.     They  bear  date,  Oct.  11,  1833. 

"  I  have  climbed  Mount  Holyoke  with  eagerness ; 
thinking  all  the  way  up  its  steep  ascent  of  my  Crea- 
tor's glory,  and  hoping  on  this  summit  to  lose  myself 
for  a  few  moments  in  the  grandeur  and  extent,  as 
well  as  the  brilliancy  of  the  scene  around  me  ;  to 
forget,  while  absorbed  in  contemplating  it,  the  vile- 
ness  of  earth ;  and  thus  draw  near  to  God  I     I  am 


226  MEMOIR    OF  ' 

alone  and  wish  to  be,  that  T  may  give  myself  without 
interruption  to  the  reflections  proper  for  the  occasion, 
and  that  the  deep  gU)wing  thoughts  excited  within 
me,  may  be  permitted  to  possess  my  soul,  undis- 
turbed by  thoughtlessness  and  sinful  frivolity  without. 
I  stand  on  the  topmost  rock.  How  the  prospect  has 
enlarged  around  me  for  miles  on  every  side !  The 
Connecticut,  charming  river!  Like  a  serpent,  it 
glides  past  the  villages  scattered  along  the  plains ! 
There  it  embraces  Old  Hadley  in  one  of  its  folds ; 
there  Northampton  in  another ;  after  rolling  by  the 
little  village  at  my  feet  and  winding  around  a  large 
plain,  it  cuts  Mount  Tom  and  Holyoke  asunder,  and 
shoots  off  towards  the  south,  stretching  away  for 
Springfield,  Hartford,  and  the  ocean,  until  my  eye 
can  trace  it  no  longer.  Then,  how  beautiful,  how 
surpassingly  beautiful  are  the  meadows,  through 
which  it  meanders,  all  checkered  as  they  are,  and 
delicately  shaded  like  a  vast  painting;  with  corn- 
fields, and  mow-lands,  and  pastures,  and  gardens, 
and  walks,  and  houses,  and  villages,  and  roads,  and 
the  overflowings  of  a  freshet,  and  plains !  I  hear, 
too,  the  boat-wheel  that  plies  the  river,  the  sound  of 
the  distant  drum  and  the  roar  of  the  military  salute, 
while  the  world  is  busy  all  around  me.  Elevating 
my  eyes  a  little,  I  behold  Amherst,  with  its  white 
dwellings,  pointing  spires,  scientific  establishments, 
and  adjacent  forests  on  the  north-east;  Northamp- 
ton, with  its  churches,  and  villas,  and  Roundhill 
school,  on  the  north-west;  and  Hatfield,  Whateley, 
and  Sugarloaf,  on  the  north.  How  fascinating,  how 
magnificent ! " 

"  Andover,  Nov.  13, 1833.  Meteoric  shower. —  This 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  227 

morning  at  about  twenty  minutes  past  five,  before  I 
had  lighted  a  lamp  1  was  suddenly  startled  by  a 
light  flashing  into  my  room ;  and  supposing  it  to 
come  from  a  bright  meteor,  I  ran  to  my  window  to 
get  sight  of  it,  when  I  was  struck  with  the  appear- 
ance of  one  of  the  most  splendid  phenomena  1  ever 
beheld.  The  sky  seemed  full  of  meteors,  blazing, 
streaming,  and  flashing  in  every  direction.  Some  of 
them  were  small,  like  mere  sparks  of  fire,  yet  they 
left  a  luminous  line  behind  them.  Others  were  large 
and  brilliant,  like  sky-rockets,  though  somewhat  in  an 
inverted  position. 

"  These  meteors  were  so  numerous  that  until  I 
was  satisfied  they  were  accompanied  with  nothing 
solid,  I  was  afraid  to  venture  out  into  the  street  to  take 
my  customary  walk.  The  first  thing  I  did  was  to 
awake  the  gentleman  in  the  room  opposite  to  mine, 
in  order  that  he  also  might  enjoy  this  phenomenon. 
Soon  after,  I  proceeded  slowly  on  my  accustomed 
round,  watching  the  heavens  as  I  went.  The  morn- 
ing was  clear  and  beautiful,  accompanied  by  a  mod- 
erate breeze ;  the  air  was  slightly  cool,  though  not  un- 
comfortable even  to  one  wearing  no  outside  garment. 
The  weather  had  somewhat  changed  during  the  pre- 
ceding twenty-four  hours,  but  T  was  in  my  study 
without  fire,  yesterday  afternoon.  The  wind  came 
from  the  west,  as  I  supposed.  Venus  was  to  be  seen 
brilliant  in  the  east.  Jupiter  had,  not  long  before, 
set  in  the  west.  Taurus  and  the  neighboring  con- 
stellations were  visible  between  them,  but  rather 
nearest  to  the  latter. 

"  I  endeavored  to  decide  upon  the  direction  of  the 
meteors,  and  soon  found  that  the  wind  had  nothing 


228  MEMOIR    OF 

to  do  with  them.  The  most  prominent  thought  in 
my  mind  was  that  they  all  came  from  a  southerly 
region  and  passed  a  little  to  the  west  of  north. 
Sensible,  however,  that  it  is  easy  to  be  optically 
deluded  in  such  a  case,  1  varied  my  position  and 
looked  due  west.  I  now  saw  some  which  seemed  to 
dart  from  the  zenith  downwards,  yet  in  general  they 
appeared  to  bear  away  somewhat  towards  the  north. 
Similar,  too,  was  their  aspect,  as  I  faced  the  east,  or 
looked  upward.  Some  of  them  were  very  large  and 
shot  away  in  the  form  of  a  trumpet,  ending  in  a 
bright  blaze,  and  leaving  a  long,  luminous  train, 
which  in  some  cases,  lasted  for  nearly  a  minute, 
or  till  the  meteor  seemed  gradually  to  have  faded 
away.  This  train  looked  as  if  composed  (after  the 
disappearance  of  the  principal  flame)  of  a  great 
quantity  of  extremely  luminous  dust,  dispersed  along 
the  track  of  the  meteor.  In  one  instance,  I  thought 
I  saw  a  brilliant  train  gradually  bent  from  a  straight 
line  after  the  blaze  had  become  extinct.  In  another 
case,  a  large  proportion  of  the  train  which  com- 
menced with  great  brilliancy,  consisted  of  a  blue 
flame  ending  with  a  glowing  red.  Every  thing, 
wind  excepted,  was  perfectly  still.  No  hissing  and  no 
heavy  sound  was  at  any  time  to  be  heard ;  nor  was 
there  anywhere  the  appearance  of  a  cloud.  Me- 
teors continued  to  be  visible,  though  to  a  less  extent, 
till  almost  sunrise.  Persons,  whom  I  met  in  my 
ramble,  were  very  much  alarmed  by  the  phenomenon, 
and  asked  me  if  it  were  not  a  fulfilment  of  Scrip- 
ture." 

For  weeks  subsequent  to  the  occurrence  of  this 
meteoric  shower,  he  watched  the  newspapers,  copy- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  229 

ing  from  them  numerous  accounts   given  of  it,  by 
writers  in  different  parts  of  the  country. 

Journal.  "  Dec.  5,  1833.  —  I  have  received  a  call^ 
or  what  amounts  to  one,  to  settle  in  Brain  tree.  An- 
swered it  today  in  the  negative.  Feel  very  sad  in 
view  of  the  answer  which  I  have  been  obliged,  as  I 
think,  to  send  to  B.  O,  how  I  should  love  to  go 
there  I  How  much  violence  have  I  done  to  my  own 
feelings  in  rejecting  the  invitation ! " 

The  above  named  call  was  repeated,  and  in  declin- 
ing it  the  second  time,  he  says  to  the  church  and 
society,  "  I  have  dwelt  upon  the  subject,  revolved  it, 
prayed  over  it,  and  hesitated,  until  I  again  find  my- 
self compelled  to  come  to  a  definite  decision,  and  I 
hope  on  the  right  side.  I  wish  to  accept  of  your 
invitation.  Had  I  two  minds  and  two  bodies,  you 
certainly  should  have  one  of  each.  I  have  now 
spent  more  than  a  year  in  preparing  a  History  of  the 
Pulpit,  from  the  time  of  Christ  down  to  the  present 
day.  Books,  necessary  for  completing  the  work,  at 
best  somewhat  rare,  are  in  the  library  here.  I  must 
either  give  up  this  work  altogether,  or  renounce  for 
the  present  the  idea  of  going  to  B.  For  the  former, 
after  so  much  labor,  I  do  not  feel  prepared ;  therefore 
I  am,  of  course,  constrained  to  adopt  the  latter." 

It  is  with  sadness  we  state  that  the  literary  work 
which  kept  him  from  becoming  a  pastor  in  B.  has 
never  been  published.  It  probably  did  not  advance 
much  in  preparation  for  the  press  after  this  time.  The 
author's  plans  were  frustrated,  as  he  informs  us,  by 
the  death  of  Dr.  Porter,  which  occurred  only  a  few 
months  later  than  the  call  to  B. 

20 


CHAPTER   VII. 

LITERARY    PURSUITS    FROM   JAxNUARY,  1834,  TO    THE 
AUTUMN    OF    1838. 

Though  frequently  invited  to  leave  Andover  to 
enter  upon  pastoral  life,  and  urged  by  many  judicious 
friends  to  make  the  change,  he  still  regarded  it  as 
duty  to  continue  his  residence  there.  Perhaps  no  other 
person  could  judge  so  well  as  himself  what  was  the 
proper  course  for  him  to  pursue.  His,  however,  may 
have  been  a  case  in  which  the  individual  who  is 
the  most  deeply  concerned,  is  the  least  qualified  to 
act  as  umpire.  The  writer  has  never  been  able  to 
read  Mr.  T.'s  record  of  calls  from  churches  and  the 
declinatures  affixed,  without  mental  anguish.  No 
man  could  be  more  in  need  of  just  the  influences  of 
a  confiding  people  than  was  the  subject  of  this 
memoir. 

In  January,  1834,  he  records  the  following  reflec- 
tions :  "  God's  holy  kingdom  will  be  bound  together 
by/  cords  of  love.  The  interests  of  'the  whole,  will 
be  the  interests  of  each  individual.  Loveliness  of 
character  should  be  the  aim  of  all  persons  on  earth. 
I  know  not  a  better  specimen  of  it  among  men 
than  Legh  Richmond  and  his  family.  I  have  just 
seen  a  letter  evincing  its  existence  in  his  household. 
Jesus  was  distinguished  for  loveliness. 


MEMOIR    OF    REV.   0.    A.   TAYLOR.  231 

"  I  was  struck  with  the  uniformity  of  nature's 
laws,  when  visiting  the  home  of  my  childhood  some 
months  since.  There  I  found  an  apple-tree,  the  fruit 
of  which,  in  my  younger  years,  I  loved;  and  I  remem- 
bered exactly  how  it  then  tasted.  I  plucked  some  of 
it  and  found  its  taste  unchanged.  An  apple-seed 
never  produces  an  oak;  nor  an  acorn,  the  apple-tree. 
The  oak  has  its  particular  height,  size,  and  form." 

Letter  to  Rev.  J.  F.  Stearns,  March,  1834. 

"  My  dear  brother  Jonathan  :  —  It  is  almost 
nine  o'clock  in  the  evening  and  I  am  sleepy,  gloomy, 
and  tired,  having  rode  today  from  Charlestown  on 
the  very  pinnacle  of  the  stage  with  a  north-easter 
beating  right,  or  leather  wrong,  into  my  face  and 
eyes.  The  horses  walked  all  the  way,  and  the  stage 
vascillated  like  the  mountains  torn  up  by  Satan  and 
his  army  to  be  hurled  at  Gabriel  and  his  hosts. 

"  But  I  am  beginning  to  suspect  that  you  will 
think  I  have  but  little  of  the  David  in  me,  when  you 
hear  that  I  have  just  visited  Boston,  without  in  any 
way  hinting  my  purpose  to  you;  especially  as  I  have 
committed  the  offence  several  times  before.  I  can- 
not sleep  without  beginning  something  like  a  letter 
to  you.  Perhaps  I  ought  to  say,  I  am  in  such  an 
indolent  mood,  that  I  must  write  to  you  or  do  noth- 
ing. Brother,  I  will  tell  you  that  I  feel  as  if  I  would 
like  to  annoy  somebody  this  evening,  therefore  I 
have  resolved  to  inflict  a  letter  upon  you." 

Later  date. 

"  My  dear  friend,  I  am  resolved  to  let  the  be- 
ginning of  this  letter  stand  as  it  was  commenced 
some  time  ago.     I  soon  found  myself  too  sleepy  to 


232  MEMOIR    OP 

proceed,  and  retired  for  the  night.  I  feel  now  in  quite 
a  different  mood,  for  a  serious  event  has  just  occurred. 
Miss  Irene  Stone,  Dr.  Porter's  adopted  daughter, 
died  last  evening  not  far  from  nine.  She  had  been 
sick  only  about  a  fortnight,  and  enjoyed  but  a  few 
lucid  intervals  from  the  moment  in  which  she  was 
taken  till  her  death.  Her  disorder  was  supposed  to 
be  a  suffusion  of  water  on  the  brain,  and  her  suffer- 
ings were  exceedingly  great.  The  descent  has  been 
very  sudden  from  the  height  of  apparent  health  to 
the  grave.  The  family  will  greatly  feel  the  loss. 
Miss  Stone  was  a  Sabbath  school  teacher,  and  loved 
her  employment.  Once,  when  reason  had  returned, 
she  spoke  of  her  scholars,  two  of  whom  have  recently 
deceased;  I  refer  to  children  of  Mr.  Hall,  who  has 
another  child  at  the  point  of  death.  The  community 
in  general,  however,  is  in  a  healthful  state. 

"  We  had  a  curious  temperance  and  anti-temper- 
ance town-meeting  here  last  week.  The  temperance 
people  tried  to  obtain  a  vote  to  instruct  the  select- 
men not  to  approbate  any  persons  to  sell  ardent 
spirits  during  the  current  year,  and  the  anti-temper- 
ance class  labored  to  throw  the  vote  out  of  the  war- 
rant. A  division  of  the  house  was  called  for,  when 
the  temperance  party  took  the  right  and  the  antis 
the  left.  The  temperance  division  passed  out  of  the 
door  first,  being  counted  as  they  went  out ;  and  the 
antis  followed.  As  soon  as  the  former  were  out 
they  formed  themselves  into  a  file  each  side  of  the 
door  with  just  room  enough  to  let  the  antis  pass 
through,  and  through  they  did  pass,  for  they  must 
do  it  or  fight  their  way  out  elsewhere ;  and  such 
an  exhibition  of  faces,  forms,  and  attire  you  prob- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  233 

ably  never  saw.  Some  of  them  looked  up  and 
assumed  an  air  of  boldness ;  some  wore  a  deeper 
crimson  than  before ;  others  called  the  passage  the 
narrow  way ;  some  of  them  cursed,  and  swore,  and 
almost  blasphemed,  while  a  few  of  the  more  respect- 
able crept  into  the  temperance  ranks.  It  was  a 
curious  scene,  but  to  a  reflecting  mind  a  most  solemn 
one.     Temperance  triumphed.     Yours  truly." 

Journal.  "April  11.  —  Have  just  come  from  the 
funeral  of  Dr.  Porter.  He  died  on  the  8th,  about 
two  in  the  morning.  How  soon  he  has  been  called 
to  follow  his  adopted  daughter.  A  post  mortem 
examination  evinced  the  existence  of  a  great  amount 
of  disease.  It  is  now  regarded  as  a  wonder  that  he 
lived  so  long.  It  was  by  extreme  care,  that  he  was 
kept  alive.  '  He  must  have  suffered  greatly ;  and  yet 
many,  very  many  have  had  little  charity  for  him  as  a 
sick  man ;  they  have  been  inclined  to  attribute  his 
complaints  to  imaginatio'h,  and  to  the  excessive 
tenderness  of  his  wife.  She  has,  indeed,  been  a 
wonderful  example  of  conjugal  fidelity.  The  case 
of  Dr.  P.  shows  the  need  of  charitableness  towards 
the  sick.  My  esteem  for  him  has  been  great.  I  did 
not  for  a  long  time  think  him  possessed  of  much 
eloquence,  but  my  opinion  changed  by  hearing  him 
preach  on  the  presumption  of  sceptical  men.  I  saw 
then  his  oratorical  power.  He  was  beloved  by  all 
who  knew  him.  It  was  through  his  advice  in  con- 
nection with  that  of  others,  that  I  decided  to  decline 
an  inviting  call  from  a  church  and  society,  and  con- 
tinue my  '  History  of  the  Pulpit.'  He  gave  me  a 
promise  upon  which  I  had  great  reason  to  place 
20* 


234  MEMOIR    OF 

dependence,  of  pecuniary  assistance  in  getting  out 
the  work,  in  case  I  should  need  it.  The  last  time  I 
saw  him  was  one  evening,  just  as  the  sun  was  setting, 
and  I  had  called  to  make  inquiry  respecting  Irene's 
sickness.  I  conversed  with  him  several  minutes. 
Our  theme  was,  the  benefits  of  affliction.  I  had  no 
Idea  then,  that  this  would  be  my  last  interview  with 
the  good  man ;  but  the  next  time  I  saw  him  he  was 
lifeless. 

"  The  Doctor's  death  was  undoubtedly  hastened  by 
that  of  his  daughter.  He  felt  the  loss  very  deeply. 
Though  he  was  resigned,  yet  he  knew  not  how  to 
get  along  without  her  aid.  She  had  been  his  aman- 
uensis all  winter.     Poor,  yet  blessed  man ! 

"  Andover,  May  5,  quarter  to  five,  p.  m.  —  The 
bell  is  tolling,  and  persons  are  just  bearing  to  her 
last  resting-place,  Myra,  aged  34,  a  colored  girl,  who 
had  lived  in  the  family  of  Dr.  Porter.  How  modest, 
amiable,  and  pious  she  was!  She  died  in  the  tri- 
umphs of  faith.  She  was  faithful  at  meeting.  She 
had  a  seat  behind  the  singers,  and  used  to  stand  up 
with  her  face  toward  the  wall  until  the  choir  had  left 
the  gallery.  I  shall  not  soon  forget  her,  colored  as 
she  was !  No,  nor  the  last  time  I  heard  her  feeble 
voice.  It  was  only  a  few  days  ago ;  I  had  kneeled 
in  prayer  with  the  bereaved  family,  and  was  coming 
away,  but  inquired  for  her  health  as  she  sat  in  a  little 
back  room.  Her  voice,  though  faint,  betokened 
resignation.  How  soon  she  has  wasted  away. 
There,  the  bell  ceases  to  toll.  She  is  in  her  narrow 
house,  by  the  side  of  her  beloved  master  and  friend. 
Yes,  she  is  placed  beside  the  grave  of  Dr.  P.  and 
Irene.     Who  can  doubt  that  her  spirit  is  now  with 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  235 

theirs,  for  color  is  not  known  in  heaven.  But  in 
this  world  Myra's  condition  was  a  highly  favored  one 
for  her  race.  O,  I  am  affected ;  I  weep  as  her  image 
starts  up  before  me  —  being  associated  with  the 
wrongs  her  sable  brethren  have  so  long  endured! 
God  will  avenge  those  wrongs,  and  how  dreadful 
must  be  his  vengeance ! " 

Having  heard,  June  4,  of  the  death  at  the  South, 
of  a  clergyman  with  whom  he  had  been  acquainted, 
Mr.  T.  observes :  "  I  have  reason  to  note  this  man's 
death.  For  more  than  three  years  I  sat  under  his 
ministry  in  Schenectady,  and  was  regarded  as  it 
were  a  member  of  his  church.  I  became  acquainted 
with  him  soon  after  my  arrival  in  S.,  and  loved  to 
hear  him  preach.  He  was  deeply  solemn  and  im- 
pressive. There  was  an  air  of  holiness  about  him. 
His  form,  motions,  and  expressions  of  countenance, 
are  vividly  before  me ;  his  very  tones  of  voice  seem 
now  to  be  sounding  in  my  ears.  A  course  of  ser- 
mons which  he  preached  on  the  family^  and  which  I 
have  by  me  taken  in  short  hand,  was  the  best  on  that 
subject  I  have  ever  heard.  I  took  tea  at  his  house 
on  the  evening  of  my  graduation,  or  soon  after. 
Among  other  things  I  call  to  mind  what  he  said 
about  revivals.  He  was  afraid  of  flashy  ones ;  his 
own  views  of  that  subject  were  solid;  he  was  op- 
posed to  interfering  with  God's  work.  Excellent 
man.  By  his  death  I  have  lost  a  friend.  I  never  shall, 
I  cannot  forget  him." 

A  summer  morning  contemplation.  Plaistow, 
New  Hampshire.  ♦ 

"  I  find  nothing  so  soothing  to  my  mind,  as  to  rise 


236  MEMOIROF 

early  and  take  a  conteinplative  walk,  on  a  calm 
summer  morning.  The  bustling  and  sinful  world 
may  be  WTapped  up  in  slumber,  but  nature  is  in  tune 
to  animate,  elevate,  and  fill  me  with  religious  emo- 
tion. I  have  enjoyed  such  a  season  this  morn.  I  had 
arisen  weary,  yet  my  walk  in  a  retired  valley  between 
five  and  six,  (I  rose,  indeed,  considerably  before  five,) 
soon  operated  as  a  cordial ;  and  it  was  with  deep 
regret  that  I  found  myself  necessitated  to  return.  In 
retracing  my  steps  I  could  not  help  thinking  how  few 
there  are  who  know  any  thing  about  such  pleasures. 
Nature,  thought  I,  has  long  been  one  of  my  best 
friends.  In  the  darkest  hours,  if  she  smile  upon  me, 
and  especially  if  the  sun  shine  clearly,  provided  I  am 
not  haunted  by  the  terrors  of  a  guilty  conscience,  I 
feel  a  calm  resignation  gently  distilling  into  my  soul. 
It  is  as  if  the  zephyrs  of  heaven  themselves  were  fan- 
ning me ;  and  celestial  spirits  had  come  down,  perching 
upon  every  green  twig,  singing  from  every  bough,  scat- 
tering perfumes  around  and  lighting  up  all  nature  with 
smiles  on  purpose  to  cheer  me.  O,  said  I,  mentally, 
and  I  had  often  said  it  before,  —  here  is  something 
like  heaven.  When  the  departed  spirit  first  experi- 
ences the  influence  of  the  world  of  glory  and  love,  it 
most  assuredly  feels  something  like  this,  only  it  is  free 
from  all  the  pangs  of  guilt  and  the  liabilities  of  a 
depraved  heart.  Truly  it  seemed  to  me,  as  though  I 
heard  the  very  voices  of  good  beings  saying  to  me, 
'  Fear  not.  Trample  down  discouragement  and 
despondency ;  for  the  universe  is  full  of  God's  good- 
ness, and  you  too  may  be  happy.'  Blessed,  blessed 
privilege  of  holding  converse  with  my  Creator  and 
with  my  own  spirit  at  such  an  hour! " 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  237 

Early  in  August  he  visited  Bedford  and  preached 
for  Rev.  Samuel  Stearns,  a  distant  relative  of  his 
mother,  and  a  college  class  mate  of  his  uncle  T. 
Alden. 

During  this  summer  he  supplied  a  pulpit  in 
Kingston,  New  Hampshire,  for  a  number  of  Sab- 
baths. August  was  principally  passed  in  New 
Bedford. 

A  brother  of  his  in  college,  having  sent  him  a  let- 
ter evincing  great  despondency,  and  perhaps  a  dispo- 
sition to  berate  a  little  his  paternal  ancestry  so  far  as 
intellect  is  concerned,  he  replied  as  follows.  The 
letter  was  written  from  New  Bedford,  August  11, 
1834. 

"  Some  days,  my  dear  brother,  have  elapsed  since 
I  received  your  tirade  against  the  Taylors.  I  am 
very  sorry  that  you  have  such  poor  blood  running  in 
your  veins,  and  that  you  were  born  under  the  influ- 
ence of  such  a  malignant  star.  For  my  part  I  have 
never  studied  astrology,  and  I  am  rather  inimical  to 
the  science.  As  to  the  Taylors  I  think  there  have 
been  some  pretty  likely  fellows  among  them,  all  you 
say  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding.  To  be  sure, 
since  they  have  been  in  this  country,  they  have  more 
generally  been  nothing  more  than  honest  deacons, 
esquires,  yeomen,  fishermen,  and  Christians;  but 
then  we  can  point  back  to  a  host  of  them  in  Eng- 
land of  more  than  ordinary  intellect,  and  some  of 
them  certainly  our  ancestors.  I  suspect  you  have 
made  two  mistakes.  In  the  first  place,  you  have 
mistaken  the  Taylor  for  the  Joyce  blood  in  us.  In  the 
second  place,  you  have  in  part  attributed  some  of 
our  defects  to  the  Taylor  blood,  when  you  ought  to 


238  MEMOIR    OF 

have  referred  them  to  the  Adam  blood  in  us.  You 
do  not  forget,  I  hope,  that  old  Adam  was  a  sinner ; 
that  we  all  descended  from  him,  and  that  all  his 
children  are  defective,  especially  about  the  heart. 
Though  the  intellect  is  supposed  to  be  not  directly 
aliected  by  sin,  it  is  indirectly ;  the  heart  producing 
great  disorder  in  the  mind.  Strive,  then,  to  get  a 
right  view  of  yourself  in  this  respect,  and  see  if  grace 
be  not  adapted  to  work  a  proper  cure.  The  grand 
reason  why  there  are  no  more  philosophers  is  because 
there  are  no  more  good  men.  I  take  it  for  granted 
that  every  thing  in  me  is  wrong,  and  that  it  is  my 
duty  to  set  every  thing  right.  I  hope  the  next  time 
I  hear  from  you,  it  will  appear  that  you  have  ceased 
to  be  at  war  with  your  own  head." 

"New  Bedford,  Aug.  18,  1834.— Am  this  day 
thirty-three  years  of  age.     A  birthday  should  not 

pass  unnoticed.     I  see  by  the  papers  that  Bro. , 

of ,  has  just  accepted  a  call  to  become  Professor 

of  Sacred  Literature  in .     I  was  recommended 

by  friends  to  that  professorship.  He  is  an  amiable 
and  pious  man. 

**  Resigned — my  soul  shall  meet  thy  will." 

On  the  23d  he  says :  "  Walked  yesterday  through 
an  opening  wood,  towards  the  ocean.  The  sun  was 
just  rising  upon  the  water ;  here  and  there  a  sail  was 
passing,  birds  were  chirping  around  me,  and  herds  of 
cattle  were  wending  their  way  along  footpaths  to 
their  wonted  pastures.  And  I  am  then  drawing 
near  to  the  ocean,  I  thought,  as  I  looked  down  upon 
its  shore  and  saw  the  billows  rolling  there.  Thus 
soon,  perhaps  very  soon,  shall  I  arrive  at  the  broad 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  239 

ocean  of  eternity,  and  from  the  last  promontory  of  life 
take  leave  of  terrestrial  things.  May  it  be  my  happy 
lot,  then,  to  behold  a  far  more  glorious  sun,  and  to  feel 
that  its  light  and  warmth  are  mine,  forever  mine ! 
During  that  walk  I  said  to  myself  how  pleasant  it 
would  be  to  surrender  up  my  spirit  to  God  and  go 
home ;  I  am  but  a  stranger  and  pilgrim  here  below. 
This  world  contains  nothing  sufficiently  attractive  to 
detain  me  except  the  glory  of  God  and  the  smiles  of 
his  children.  There  I  should  be  absorbed  in  his 
everlasting  love.  While  thus  meditating,  these  words 
of  Watts  occurred  to  me  :  — 

"  *  Sweet  was  the  journey  to  the  sky, 
The  wondrous  prophet  tried ; 
Climb  up  the  mount,  says  God,  and  die, 
The  prophet  climbed  and  died. 
Safely  his  gentle  head  he  lay 
Upon  his  Maker's  breast, 
His  Maker  kissed  his  soul  away 
And  laid  his  flesh  to  rest.' 

Also  those  of  Pollock  in  which  he  speaks  of  the  star 
that  goes  not  out,  but  melts  away  in  the  light  of 
heaven.  O,  it  would  be  pleasant  to  lay  one's  head 
upon  the  Saviour's  breast  and  breathe  out  the  spirit 
there.  But  why  should  I  now  be  permitted  to  pass 
into  the  celestial  realm.  Christ  says  his  followers 
enter  it  through  much  tribulation,  and  through  what 
have  I  passed?  Surely,  there  are  foes  for  me  to 
face.  Verily  I  must  fight.  The  joy  that  I  now  feel 
is  but  an  Elijah's  repast  under  the  Juniper  tree  to 
strengthen  me  for  coming  struggles ;  and  the  pleasures 
of  Christian  intercourse  are  sent  only  as  cordials. 
Rise,  my  soul ;  this  is  not  the  place  of  thy  rest.     The 


240  MEMOIK    OF 

journey,  the  desert,  the  fierce  combat  are  before 
thee." 

August  28  he  says :  "  Mrs.  C.  has  a  very  fine  col- 
lection of  shells.  She  spares  no  expense  to  obtain 
them.  I  called  in  company  with  a  friend  today  to 
see  that  collection.  Mrs.  C.  was  not  at  home,  but 
her  little  granddaughter  opened  the  cases  for  us. 
The  shells  are  arranged  in  families,  or  genera.  First 
came,  according  to  the  Linnaean  system,  the  Cornus, 
then  the  Nerita,  etc.  The  little  girl  knew  all  their 
generic  names  and  many  of  the  specific." 

"  Berkley,  Massachusetts,  Aug.  30.  —  Came  here 
yesterday,  calling  first  upon  Rev.  Mr.  A.,  author  of 
the  '  Old  Jersey  Captive,'  if  I  rightly  remember  the 
title  of  the  work.  He  was  a  prisoner  for  some  time, 
and  at  length  made  his  escape  through  Long  Island. 
He  has  lately  been  dismissed  from  his  pastoral 
charge  here.  I  expect  to  supply  the  pulpit  but  one 
Sabbath.  31.  —  I  have  just  been  watching  the  last 
setting  sun  of  summer  till  the  very  final  ray  has  dis- 
appeared. And  shall  I  ever  see  another  summer  ? 
What  changes  must  I  pass  through  before  this  can  be 
the  case  ?  The  cold  and  chills  of  winter  must  first 
be  experienced.  Arduous  studies,  too,  are  before 
me." 

Andover,  September.  After  quoting  lines  from 
Cowper  in  which  that  poet  utters  his  detestation  of 
afiectation  in  any  person,  especially  in  a  minister  of 
the  gospel,  Mr.  T.  says :  "  And  ready  as  I  am  to 
subscribe  to  the  above  lines  of  Cowper,  and  as  much 
as  I  hate  afiectation,  it  is  my  lot  to  be  accused  of  it. 
I  am  charged  with  exhibiting  it  in  singing.  This  I 
should  not  so  much  regard,  since  I  abominate  most 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  241 

of  the  singing,  so  deficient  in  animation,  which  I 
hear.  But  I  was  accused  of  it  in  preaching  also. 
This  was  shocking  to  my  sensibilities  ;  inexpressibly- 
shocking  I  Well,  what  is  to  be  done  ?  Let  me  be- 
come as  cold  as  Greenland  and  I  shall  not  be  accused 
of  affectation  in  preaching ! 

Thunderstorm,  Sept.  15,  1S34. 

"  Last  week  Tuesday  commenced  with  remarka- 
bly sultry  weather.  The  air  seemed  to  come  from  a 
heated  furnace.  Hence  it  was  no  more  than  I  antici- 
pated, that  a  thunderstorm  should  occur.  About 
ten,  A.  M.,  I  saw  clouds  rising  rapidly  in  the  west,  or 
north-west.  They  appeared  very  angry,  and  thunder 
rolled  furiously  in  the  heavens.  My  expectations  of 
a  hurricane  were  strong,  especially  as  there  have 
been  many  in  different  parts  of  the  country  the  year 
past,  and  as  we  here  have  had  much  high  wind.  A 
tempest  did,  indeed,  drive  rapidly  through  the  sky ; 
still  we  had  no  hurricane.  But  toward  the  close  of 
the  storm  there  occurred  a  tremendously  crashing 
clap  of  thunder,  accompanied  by  a  vivid  flash  of 
lightning.  I  started  for  my  window  supposing  that 
one  of  the  seminary  buildings  had  been  struck ;  yet 
no  indications  of  such  a  nature  appeared.  The 
clouds  soon  passed  off,  and  I  walked  down  by  Mr. 
Badger's  meeting-house,  toward  the  post-office.  On 
the  way  I  saw  a  collection  of  people  about  Dr.  Ed- 
wards' house,  on  the  other  street,  at  my  right  hand, 
and  at  once  I  suspected  it  had  been  struck,  though 
the  clap  had  not  seemed  to  me  to  be  in  that  direc- 
tion. I  visited  the  post-office,  and  on  coming  up 
toward  Dr.  E.'s  kitchen  window,  I  saw  it  open  and 
21 


242  MEMOIR    OF 

a  lady  sitting  by  it  leaning  her  head  on  her  hand  in 
a  solemn  posture,  (Mrs.  E.,  I  doubt  not,  was  return- 
ing thanks  to  God  for  protection).  On  coming 
around  to  the  other  side  of  the  house  I  saw  that  it 
had,  indeed,  been  struck.  It  has  a  lightning  rod  on 
its  west  side.  The  sitting  room  is  at  the  south-west 
half  of  the  west  end,  and  the  kitchen  is  at  the  north- 
west half.  South  of  the  house  there  are  several 
poplar  trees,  on  the  westernmost  of  which,  for  some 
purpose  of  convenience,  had  been  nailed  a  horse-shoe. 
The  house  has  shutters  and  blinds.  I  found  the 
south  part  of  it,  in  appearance,  a  perfect  skeleton. 
Every  pane  of  glass  had  been  broken  out.  The 
lightning  had  descended  the  rod  to  the  ground, 
turned  this  up  around  the  rod,  struck  a  piece  of  iron 
lying  at  a  short  distance  from  the  rod,  attacked  the 
westernmost  poplar  opposite  the  horseshoe,  and 
had  passed  under  a  door-step,  about  midway  in 
the  south  front  of  the  building.  The  sitting  room 
was  full  of  ladies,  yet  no  one  had  been  injured.  One 
of  them,  however,  in  attempting  to  stand,  felt  the 
effect  of  the  lightning  a  little  in  her  foot.  Mrs.  E. 
was  in  her  kitchen,  the  Dr.  was  at  the  seminary.  I 
have  not  been  able  to  ascertain  what  was  the  sensa- 
tion of  the  moment  among  the  ladies,  though  one  of 
them  says  that  the  building  seemed  to  be  all  on  fire. 
I  learn  that  a  hurricane  did  occur  at  Belchertown 
the  same  day. 

"  Seasons,  years,  centuries,  and  other  periods  of 
time  have  each  their  peculiar  characteristics.  This 
year  has  thus  far  been  marked  by  violent  heat, 
thunderstorms,  and  tornadoes. 

"  I  would  add,  that  a  part  of  the  poplar  struck, 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  243 

was  shivered  off  and  sent  through  a  window  in  the 
second  story  of  the  house.  The  sound  of  the  thun- 
der most  evidently  came  to  me  by  reflection,  as  a  line 
drawn  from  Dr.  Edwards'  house  to  the  seminary, 
thence  to  my  room,  (Esquire  Farrar's  office,)  would 
authorize  me  to  believe." 

January,  1835,  he  published  a  duodecimo  volume 
of  two  hundred  and  sixty  pages,  entitled  "  Brief 
views  of  the  Saviour,  with  reflections  on  his  doc- 
trines, parables,  etc.,  designed  chiefly  for  the  young." 
It  was  in  part  a  translation  of  a  German  work. 
Sending  it  forth,  he  says  to  it,  "  Go  now,  seek  thy 
fortune  as  thou  canst.  •!  commit  thee  to  the  tide  of 
public  opinion."  He  was  likewise  at  this  time  trans- 
lating and  preparing  for  the  press  a  German  treatise 
of  Pfeifler  on  the  Music  of  the  ancient  Hebrews. 

Near  the  commencement  of  the  year  just  named, 
Mr.  T.'s  sister  Martha  was  visited  with  sudden  and 
alarming  sickness.  She  had,  doubtless,  prostrated 
herself  by  excessive  exertions  while  teaching  a  win- 
ter school  in  Whateley.  Having  been  conveyed  to 
her  sister's,  in  South  Deerfield,  she  was  considered 
in  a  very  critical  state  for  several  weeks.  These 
statements  will  explain  various  allusions  in  the  letters 
immediately  succeeding. 

"Andover,  Feb.  4,  1835. 
"  My  dear  Brother  T.  :  —  Your  letter,  filled  with 
sorrows  and  joys,  reached  me  yesterday.  lam  glad 
you  were  able  to  assist  your  sister,  and  thank  you 
for  the  kind  manner  in  which  you  dealt  with  me.  It 
was  prudent  not  to  inform  me  of  my  sister's  sickness, 
inasmuch  as  I  could  not  have  relieved  her  and  could 


244  MEMOIR    OF 

not  very  well  have  visited  her.  The  objections  to 
the  course  you  pursued  might  be,  first,  that  you  thus 
deprive  me  of  the  privilege  of  sympathizing  with, 
and  praying  for,  my  afflicted  friends;  and,  secondly, 
that  you  will  be  in  danger  perhaps  of  doing  the  same 
thing  in  cases  where  you  ought  not.  In  this,  how- 
ever, I  leave  you  to  the  exercise  of  your  own  judg- 
ment. 

•  "  My  '  History  of  the  Pulpit '  is  yet  a  serious  task. 
It  is  poverty  that  has  prevented  me  from  finishing  it 
before  now,  as  I  am  obliged  to  struggle  in  every  way 
and  turn  my  hands  to  other  employments  to  obtain 
money.  Nothing  but  this,  too,  deters  me  from  send- 
ing Martha  at  once,  twenty  or  thirty  dollars,  and 
Mary  and  mother  as  much  more.  For  the  same 
reason,  I  shall  have  for  the  present  to  excuse  myself 
from  forwarding  either  to  you  or  Rufus,  a  copy  of 
my  *  Views  of  the  Saviour.'  Scholars,  you  know, 
even  the  greatest  and  the  best  of  them,  have  been 
proverbially  poor,  in  every  age.  You  will  recall  to 
mind,  at  once,  Milton,  Pythagoras,  etc.  As  soon  as 
I  am  able,  Martha  shall  have  a  handsome  present.  I 
shall  write  her  soon.  Did  you  find  mother  in  com- 
fortable circumstances  ?  I  do  not  wish  at  present  to 
part  with  more  money  than  is  absolutely  needful ; 
and  yet  I  shall  do  any  thing,  even  hire  it,  if  she  or 
others  of  the  family  are  in  want  of  it.  I  lately  sent 
Mary  five  dollars,  and  shall  still  pay  her  physician's 
bill.  I  have  much  to  say,  but  cannot.  I  write  early 
in  the  morning,  and  with  cold  fingers  —  must  be 
brief.  But  the  sickness  of  Martha  is  a  new  develop- 
ment in  our  family  history.  It  is  well  for  us  children 
all  to  remember  with  a  particular  reference  to  our- 


REV.    OLIVER   A.    TAYLOR.  245 

selves,  our  father's  constitution,  in  order  that  by- 
prayer,  constant  exercise,  and,  above  all,  by  that 
calmness  of  mind  which  can  come  only  from  confi- 
dence in  God  and  resignation  to  his  holy  will,  we 
may  guard  ourselves,  as  much  as  possible,  against 
one  of  the  most  grievous  calamities  with  which 
humanity  can  be  afflicted." 

"Febraary  5,  1835. 
"  My  dear  Sister  Martha  :  —  I  had  just  written  a 
letter  to  mother,  and  was  about  to  drop  it  into  the 
post-office,  when  I  saw  one  for  me  from  T.  I  was 
in  a  sorrowful  mood,  from  various  perplexities  natu- 
rally attendant  on  the  issuing  of  a  book  from  the 
press,  and  said  to  myself,  perhaps  it  brings  sad  neivs, 
I  will  not,  therefore,  read  it  until  I  have  dined,  and, 
having  become  more  at  ease  in  mind,  feel  better 
prepared  for  whatever  the  letter  may  contain.  I  did 
delay,  and  when  I  opened  it,  found  an  account  of  your 
late  and  dangerous  illness.  I  need  not  tell  you  I  was 
deeply  affected,  as  I  imagined  what  you  all  must 
have  suffered,  and  that  I  felt  the  duty  very  incum- 
bent upon  me  to  give  thanks  to  God  for  having 
restored  you  in  a  measure  to  health.  Ever  since 
reading  the  letter,  my  mind  has  been  dwelling  upon 
you,  and  especially  upon  mother.  It  is  true  my  let- 
ters to  her  are  not  very  frequent.  I  plunge  into  my 
books,  and  am  drowned  in  thought,  until  a  message 
from  her,  or  from  my  brothers,  sets  me  to  calculating 
how  long  it  has  been  since  I  wrote,  and  then  my 
remissness  fills  me  with  regret.  I  think  of  her  often, 
and  fear  lest  she  may  lack  things  needful  to  her  com- 
fort. Oh,  that  it  might  be  well  with  her ;  that  the 
21* 


246  MEMOIR    OF 

candle  of  the  Lord  might  shine  upon  her  head ;  that 
she  might  have  a  peaceful  and  happy  old  age ;  but, 
above  all  things,  that  she  may  enter  at  last  into  the 
haven  of  eternal  rest.  My  painful  regret  is  that  I 
cannot  send  you  each  a  fifty  dollar  bill,  but  this  I 
cannot,  and  it  becomes  us  to  submit  to  the  will  of 
God.  Have  you  sufficient  means  to  defray  the 
expenses  of  your  sickness  ?  How  is  it  with  mother  ? 
Are  her  wants  at  this  time  supplied?  Does  she 
enjoy  good  health?  Is  her  mind  calm?  Be  kind, 
veri/  kind,  to  our  dear  mother.  Money  comes  hard 
with  me  at  present,  but  she,  and  the  rest  of  you,  if 
in  want,  shall  share  what  I  have.  The  Lord  bless 
you,  my  dear  sister.  My  prayer  is,  that  the  chastise- 
ment you  have  lately  received  from  his  hand,  may 
prove  for  your  good,  serving  to  wean  you  from  the 
world,  and  aiding  you  to  live  well  while  you  are 
in  it.  Take  every  wise  precaution  to  preserve  your 
health." 

To  his  sister  Sarah,  same  month. 

"  My  dear  Sister: —  The  sickness  of  M.  in  your 
family,  has  brought  yourself,  husband,  and  babe 
before  me,  and  reminds  me  of  my  negligence  in  not 
writing  you  of  late.  I  am  grateful  to  God  that  she 
had  a  home  under  your  roof.  I  hope  the  event 
will  prove  salutary  to  us  all.  May  it  not  be  lost 
upon  yourself  and  husband.  Oh,  that  your  hearts 
might  be  united  in  the  service  of  God  —  that  I  could 
be  informed  the  family  altar  had  been  erected  by  you. 
I  cannot  but  hope  that  you  do  read  the  Bible  to- 
gether, and  converse  often  about  the  value  of  the 
soul,  and  the  importance  of  being  prepared  for  death. 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  247 

Believe  me,  my  dear  sister,  our  time  at  the  longest 
will  be  short.  We  shall  soon  stand  before  God,  and 
there  give  an  account  of  our  past  lives.  We  must 
soon,  very  soon,  enter  upon  an  eternal  state  of  exist- 
ence, and  where  ?  I  think  of  you  often,  though  I  do 
not  write  to  you,  and  my  neglect  in  this  respect 
arises  in  part  from  the  fact  that  you  have  a  tender 
husband  to  take  care  of  you,  while  I  feel  in  a  meas- 
ure like  a  guardian  or  protector  of  your  sisters. 

"  Let  the  spirit  of  love  guide  you  in  all  your 
domestic  duties.  A  kind  and  affectionate  wife,  I 
know,  unmarried  though  I  am,  to  be  the  greatest  of 
earthly  blessings.  She  can  counsel  her  husband  in 
trial,  and  often  sustain  him  when  ready  to  sink  under 
the  pressure  of  sorrow.  In  the  world  without,  he 
may  find  all  cold  and  friendless,  but  at  home  there 
will  be  at  least  one  to  bless  and  comfort.  Ah,  what 
would  our  poor  father  have  done,  had  it  not  been  for 
the  kindness,  the  affection,  and  the  ceaseless  conju- 
gal fidelity  of  our  dear  mother  ?  My  best  regards  to 
your  husband." 

Writing  about  this  time  to  his  brother  R.  in  Am- 
herst College,  he  observes  :  "  We  brothers  have  had  to 
struggle,  and  even  now  the  hard  hand  of  poverty 
presses  heavily  upon  us.  We  are  deprived  of  many 
good  things  of  which  others  have  the  enjoyment ;  and 
have  to  press  our  way  up  from  the  dust.  But  we 
have  had  many  favors.  The  Lord  has  done  much 
for  us  and  he  has  promised  to  do  more.  Let  us 
look  to  him  and  lean  upon  him.  That  we  meet  with 
difficulties  does  not  prove  that  we  are  not  in  the  path 
of  duty.     Bunyan  very  beautifully  tells  us  this,  when 


248  MEMOIR    OP 

he  represents  Christian  as  clambering  up  the  hill 
^  Difficultt/.^  And  how  improving  to  pass  through 
trials.  It  gives  the  soul  firmness.  Read  the  memoirs 
of  any  great  general,  and  see  what  trials  he  had  to 
pass  through  before  he  attained  to  eminence.  I  have 
fondly  looked  forward  to  the  time  when  we  shall  find 
ourselves  more  independent  of  the  world  and  pos- 
sessed of  enough  to  show  ourselves  generous ;  yet 
this,  I  fear,  is  a  fairy  dream.  Let  us  not,  however, 
murmur,  my  dear  brother ;  there  is  rest  in  heaven  for 
the  weary  pilgrim.  Live  continually  at  the  foot  of 
the  cross.  May  we,  as  a  family,  ever  remember  each 
other  in  our  daily  prayers.  Prayer  constitutes  one 
of  the  best  bonds  of  union.  Whatever  others  do,  may 
we  always  show  ourselves  on  the  Lord's  side  and  be 
firmly  united  by  a  two,  nay,  by  a  threefold  cord  which 
cannot  easily  be  broken,  viz.,  by  the  ties  of  nature,  of 
professional  duty,  and  of  grace." 

Extracts  from  a  letter  to  a  friend,  April  4,  1835. 

"  I  purpose  to  content  myself  with  moving  along 
the  shore  of  the  great  ocean  of  truth  and  picking  up 
the  gems  there  to  be  found,  until  clad  in  immortal- 
ity. I  dare  not  do  otherwise.  Humility  seems  to 
require  this ;  and  most  of  those  who  venture  out  far, 
are  caught  away  from  their  fastenings,  and  to  their 
utter  destruction,  submerged  beneath  the  billows. 

"  The  only  important  question  is,  whether  the 
system  to  which  you  refer  contains  the  essence  of 
Christianity.  To  me  its  view  of  redemption  seems 
to  be  a  high-wrought  speculation.  I  could  converse 
long  with  you  upon  this  subject,  but  to  write  out  my 
thoughts  would  be  a  tedious  effort.     There  is  one  — 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  249 

Jesus  Christ  —  who  has  never  been  known  to  deceive. 
I  have  his  very  words,  and  so  have  you.  He  says, 
'  Him  that  cometh  to  me  I  will  in  nowise  cast  out.' 
I  place  myself  at  his  feet,  willing  to  hear  all  he  says. 
He  is  a  teacher  that  commands  my  highest  confi- 
dence. He  tells  me  he  is  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the 
life.  I  am  afraid  of  dishonoring,  or  appearing  to 
distrust  him  in  seeking  other  teachers.  1  have  also 
the  teachings  of  the  apostles,  who,  to  a  greater  or 
less  extent,  were  associated  with  him.  Besides  the 
great  principles  of  truth  are  everywhere  to  be  recog- 
nized by  their  permanency. 

"  Let  us  hold  on  to  the  gospel.  Its  plain,  obvious 
instructions  contain  truth  enough  for  children;  /am 
certainly  nothing  more  than  a  child  in  the  school  of 
Christ,  and  I  suspect  that  in  this  life,  we  shall  none 
of  us  pass  much  beyond  our  minority." 

April  25  he  speaks  of  receiving  a  very  kind  and 
comforting  letter  from  his  mother,  in  which  she  had 
noticed  his  book,  "  Views  of  the  Saviour."  He  adds : 
"  The  favor  of  no  other  human  being  do  I  value  as 
highly  as  hers." 

May  6  he  received  a  very  pleasing  visit  from  his 
brother  R.  who  was  making  a  vacation  tour. 

Near  the  first  of  July  he  entered  into  an  engage- 
ment to  prepare  a  Catalogue  of  the  Seminary  Libra- 
ry. This  work  occupied  him,  as  we  shall  see,  much 
of  the  time  for  the  next  succeeding  three  years. 

The  two  letters  immediately  ensuing  were  written 
in  the  summer  of  1835. 

"  My  dear  Sister  Mary  :  —  Your  letter  fills  me 
with  inexpressible  anxiety.     You  seem  to  be  in  want 


260  MEMOIR    OP 

of  something  which  I  cannot  give  you.  I  know- 
not  what  I  can  do  but  kneel,  and  weep  and  pray, 
that  though  you  have  a  diseased  body  your  soul  may 
be  cured  of  the  malady  of  sin  which  is  an  evil  infinitely 
dreadful.  I  have  had  feelings  this  evening  in  regard  to 
you  which  I  have  seldom  had  before.  Why  can  you 
not  give  up  all  to  the  Saviour  ?  He  left  the  heavens 
to  die  for  sinners.  He  always  sympathized  with  the 
sorrowful  —  he  healed  diseased  bodies.  He  died  on 
Calvary;  his  love  admits  of  no  reasonable  doubt. 
Come,  my  dear,  dear  sister,  I  too  am  poor,  and  vile, 
and  wretched;  let  us  go  to  the  cross  together.  It 
will  be  pleasant  to  weep  there  and  see  the  vast 
burden  of  our  sins  roll  into  his  tomb.  I  know  that 
relief  awaits  us  there." 

To  his  youngest  sister,  wife  of  Mr.  Joseph  W. 
Russell,  Windsor,  Massachusetts. 

"  You  have  changed  your  name ;  but  without  for- 
getting your  brother  who,  be  assured,  has  not  forgot- 
ten you,  nor  ceased  to  love  you,  and  who  would 
delight  even  now  to  impress  a  kiss  upon  your  cheek. 
I  can  scarcely  think  of  you  except. as  the  same  little 
light-haired  girl  whom  I  once  left  at  the  foot  of  the 
*  Sugar  Loaf,'  with  the  tear  trickling  down  her  face. 
God  has,  I  hear,  been  gracious  to  you.  One  thing  I 
fear  is  wanting.  Have  you  a  lightning  rod  on  your 
house  ?  You  can,  perhaps,  get  along  without  it  in 
fair  weather,  but  when  the  fiery  cloud  shall  arise  over 
your  habitation,  you  will  need  it.  Prayer  offered  up 
on  a  family  altar  draws  down  mercies  and  dispels 
gathered  wrath.  Without  such  an  altar  you  will 
find  some  of  the  storms  of  life  most  terrific ;  and  you 


EEV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  251 

may  be  dashed  in  pieces  by  thunderbolts  which 
break  over  your  head.  Should  you  and  Mr.  R.  be 
united  in  the  love  of  Jesus,  as  well  as  in  the  bonds 
of  conjugal  affection,  happy  would  you  be.  Why 
not  make  God  your  Father,  and  now  lay  up  treasure 
in  the  world  where  he  dwells  ?  " 

Mr.  T.  occasionally  wrote  in  Latin  to  his  brothers 
in  college.  Once  they  intimated  to  him  that  his 
chirography  was  obscure  and  that  their  patience  was 
somewhat  tried  in  efforts  to  decipher  his  meaning. 
Furthermore,  they  expressed  a  desire  that  his  letters 
might  be  so  legible  as  to  be  perused  while  they 
should  be  walking  for  exercise,  etc.  He  replied  as 
follows :  — 

"August  21,  1835. 

"  Frater  Timothee  carissime  :  —  Mihi  summo 
dolori  est,  te  meas  epistolas  lectu  perdifficiles  invenire. 
Meam  chirographiam,  frequenter  subobscuram  esse, 
concedo.  Mala,  aliquando,  quoque,  sine  dubio,  est 
mea  Latinitas,  et  inelegans  involutaque,  periodorum 
constructio.  Recte  praeterea  dicis,  ut  genus  dicendi 
epistolare  simplicitatem  postulet.  Et  tamen  tibi 
Anglice  scribere  assentire  non  possum.  Quamo- 
brem,  tantum  laborem,  in  tibi  scribendo,  suscipio,  si 
tempus  fuit,  exquisitis  argumentis,  exponerem.  Rei 
banc  summam  recipe ;  sermonis  Latini  scientiam 
meam  augere.  Ita  tibi  declaravi  in  mea  Latine 
scripta  epistol^  primS,.  Sed  eheu !  meas  hujuscemodi 
literas  non  legisti !  Multum  tamen  erro,  si  in  dete- 
riorem  partem,  consilii  mei  motus,  detorqueret,  meus 
frater  Timotheus.  Avunculus  meus,  literas  a  me, 
tirone,  recipere,  cum    Latine  barbarissime  scriptas, 


252  MEMOIROF 

assentiebat ;  immo,  Latino,  suo  rogatu  scripsi.  Ego 
ipse,  literas,  a  amicis  meis,  vel  Latine,  vel  Germa- 
nice,  vel  Gallice,  scriptas,  recipere  gaiideo.  Sed 
nunc  satis.  .  .  .  Ex  minima  parte,  hujus  rei  imagi- 
nem  animo  in  concipiendo,  de  te  et  Rufo,  in  meas 
literas  frustra  legere  conando,  risu  quassus  sum  .  .  . 
Tuum  adventum  in  Andoveriam,  gaudio  multo,  ex- 
pectabo.  Epistolam  a  matra  nostra  bona,  suavissi- 
mam,  nuper  recepi.  Ilia  et  Maria  sese  bene  habent.^ 
Excerptum  pulchrum,  tibi  dabo.  (He  quotes  from 
his  mother.) 

"  My  dear  son,  as  I  sit  at  my  window  viewing  the 
red  tinge  of  the  azure  sky,  and  the  setting  sun,  my 
thoughts  often  extend  beyond  the  delightful  sky,  to 
that  happy  world  where  the  inhabitants  are  beyond 
the  reach  of  Satan's  power.  O,  what  peace  and 
delight  must  fill  their  souls !  Now  and  then,  as  I  sit 
looking  at  the  sky,  a  black  cloud  passes  along  and 
intercepts  the  rays  of  the  setting  sun.  So  sin  often 
hides  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  from  our  view,  and 
dark,  heavy  hours  hang  over  our  minds.  O,  how  I 
long  to  possess  that  calm  and  heavenly  temper  which 
the  dear  Saviour  had,  w^hile  here  on  earth,  so  that 
my  mind  might  always  be  like  the  clear  azure  sky, 
or  as  Dr.  Watts  expresses  it, 

"  *  Their  souls  are  ever  bright  as  noon, 
And  calm  as  summer  evenings  he.' 

"  Hanc  meam  epistolam,  in  portam,  caudicem  vel 
arboris  truncum  insidens  vel  incumbens,  legere  pote- 
ris,  ut  mihi  videtur.  Deus  te  cum  in  secula  seculo- 
rum.     Vale." 


KEY.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  253 

To  his  youngest  brother,  then  at  Hawley.  Written 
at  Dracut,  November,  1835. 

"  My  dear  Jeremiah  :  —  Mary,  I  think,  is  entitled 
to  the  longest  letter,  as  she  has  recently  written  me 
and  you  have  not.  I  purposed  some  time  since  to 
write  you  about  your  studies,  but  on  being  informed 
by  T.  of  what  he  had  said  to  you,  I  found  it  to  be 
essentially  the  same  with  what  I  had  thought  of 
saying. 

"  You  are  to  make  preparation  for  college  as 
rapidly  as  possible  and  to  aim  at  becoming  fitted  to 
enter  in  a  year  from  next  autumn.  Study  all  the 
next  summer,  if  you  can,  and  then  teach  school  the 
following  winter.  Still  I  know  not  but  it  will  be 
necessary  for  you  to  engage  in  manual  labor  to  some 
extent  another  summer.  Whatever  course  you  take 
in  this  respect,  endeavor  so  to  review  your  studies  as 
never  to  forget  what  you  have  at  any  time  learned. 
Frequent  reviews  are  essential  to  accomplish  this. 

"  I  hear  from  R,,  and  he  seems  to  enjoy  himself 
well  at  present.  At  least  he  writes  in  fine  spirits. 
You  know,  I  presume,  that  he  has  made  me  a  visit. 
It  was  a  charming  one.  Do  you  grow  in  grace  and 
in  the  knowledge  of  the  word  of  God  ?  With  T.'s 
love  and  mine  to  all,  farewell." 

Mr.  T.  regularly  supplied  a  pulpit  in  Dracut  for 
several  months  during  the  latter  half  of  1835.  His 
labors  were  much  blessed  in  elevating  the  church 
and  society  from  a  depressed  condition  and  in  pro- 
curing the  settlement  of  a  pastor. 

By  way  of  explanation  it  should  be  here  stated 
22 


254  MEMOIR    OF 

that  Mr.  T.'s  eldest  brother  having  graduated  at 
Amherst  College  in  August,  1835,  entered  the  semi- 
nary at  Andover  in  the  autumn  of  the  same  year. 

To  his  brother  R.  Written  at  Andover,  Dec.  31, 
1835. 

"  My  dear  Brother  :  —  When  I  think  every  thing 
is  going  on  well  with  you,  being  myself  somewhat 
pressed  for  time,  I  postpone  writing.  Yet  it  is  not 
because  I  am  indifferent  to  your  welfare,  for  I  am 
deeply  interested  in  it.  Brother  Jeremiah  informs 
me  that  you  are  teaching  in  Northampton.  I  wish 
to  inquire  how  this  has  come  to  pass.  If  you  left 
college  during  the  latter  part  of  one  term,  and  are  to 
return  punctually  at  the  commencement  of  another, 
why,  it  will  do ;  that  is,  for  once.  But  if  you  are  to 
be  absent  from  college  more  than  this,  I  shall  regret 
it  exceedingly.  Rather  should  you  get  even  six 
hundred  dollars  in  debt  than  do  thus.  I  was  almost 
persuaded  to  leave  college  for  the  purpose  of  teach- 
ing one  winter,  but  Providence  prevented,  and  I  have 
felt  truly  thankful  for  it  ever  since.  Brother  T.  says 
the  same  in  regard  to  himself.  Do  write  us  how  it 
is  that  you  are  away  from  your  studies.  This  is  the 
last  day  of  the  old  year,  which  by  me  has  been  poorly 
spent.  A  new  one  I  would  fain  hope  will  be  better 
improved." 

To  the  same,  a  few  days  later. 

"  Your  letter  greatly  relieves,  not  only  my  mind, 
but  T.'s  also,  as  both  of  us  were  almost  agonized  to 
think  that  you  had  left  college  for  even  a  single 
quarter.     If,  however,  as  I  told  you  in  my  last,  you 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  255 

get  back  at  the  beginning  of  the  next  term,  you  may- 
be able  to  come  off  tolerably  well.  Scarcely  for  ten 
thousand  dollars  a  year  would  I  have  you  leave  now, 
or  break  in  upon  your  studies  to  any  considerable 
extent.  Were  there  the  least  danger  of  your  not 
returning  immediately  to  college  at  the  close  of  your 
quarter,  I  should  feel  that  I  must  make  a  journey  on 
purpose  to  converse  with  you  about  it.  Finish  your 
college  course  with  honor  to  yourself.  Stand,  if 
possible,  among  the  first  of  your  class.  At  least, 
maintain  the  rank  you  have  begun  to  hold.  Should 
you  leave  for  six  months,  you  must  for  a  year.  If 
you  should  be  absent  a  year  you  would  probably 
become  discouraged  and  never  return.  Then  you  can 
at  best  be  only  a  mere  preceptor,  and  such  an  office 
soon  reduces  a  man,  if  he  be  not  greatly  on  his  guards 
to  mental  nothingness.  To  teach  an  academy,  or 
something  of  the  kind,  will  do  for  awhile,  but  not 
often  for  life.  An  old  man  is  usually  a  miserable 
teacher.  Go  through  college ;  get  a  profession,  and 
then,  if  you  please,  you  can  teach ;  but  see  to  it  that 
you  get  the  profession.  I  write  briefly  because  I 
have  not  time  to  write  more  at  length.  I  write 
frankly  because  I  love  you.  If  you  love  me  you 
will  follow  my  advice." 

Journal.  "  Jan.  12,  1836.  —  Again  has  come  and 
gone  a  new  year's  day,  and  also  the  anniversary  of 
my  father's  death.  The  Lord  has  been  very  gracious 
to  me  the  year  past.  I  fear  he  wilt  take  me  out  of 
the  ministry  as  I  have  shown  myself  so  unworthy  of 
the  office.     Prayer,  more  prayer  is  necessary." 


266  MEMOIR    OF 

Feb.  13.  —  To  a  friend  he  says :  "  I  have  almost 
ceased  to  correspond  with  any  one,  having  for  months 
been  engaged  in  making  out  a  Catalogue  of  the  The- 
ological Seminary  Library  here;  a  piece  of  work 
which  Dr.  Robinson  commenced,  but  left  unfinished. 
It  has  occupied  me  for  months,  and  will  continue  to 
do  so  for  months  to  come.  I  arise  uniformly  at  five, 
exercise  till  six,  then  attend  to  devotion  and  break- 
fast. From  seven  to  half  past  eleven  I  work  in  the 
library.  At  one  I  return  again  to  the  library  and 
remain  in  it  till  five.  This  is  my  general  course, 
with  some  slight  variations.  I  have  then  only  the 
evenings  to  myself.  In  which  time  I  have  a  sermon 
a  week  to  prepare  for  the  people  to  whom  I  am 
preaching.  Besides,  I  have  translations,  and  original 
articles  in  abundance,  planned  or  commenced;  so 
that,  as  you  see,  I  have  scarcely  a  nook  of  time  left. 
I  have  been  thus  particular  for  the  purpose  of  ex- 
plaining and  exculpating  my  silence. 

"  Whether  I  shall  get  paid  for  my  labor  I  know 
not.  It  is  the  fate  of  the  scholar  to  consume  himself 
in  laboring  for  others,  according  to  the  motto  of 
a  certain  distinguished  man,  '  In  aliis  inserviendo, 
consumor,'  (in  serving  others  I  am  consumed).  It 
would  be  easy  to  adduce  instances  illustrative  of  this 
motto.  The  case  of  Walton  is  in  point.  After  la- 
boring seventeen  years  upon  a  Lexicon,  pronounced 
even  now  one  of  the  first  of  the  kind,  he  was  obliged 
to  allow  the  mice  to  devour  five  hundred  copies.  He 
died  in  poverty.  Henry  Albert  Schultens  might  also 
be  mentioned.  In  a  letter  to  Sir  Wm.  Jones  he 
apologizes  for  not   visiting  him  while  having  time 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  257 

enough  to  do  it,  and  says  in  the  words  of  an  Ara- 
bian proverb,  '  When  my  purse  is  heavier  I  shall  find 
the  journey  to  you  lighter.'  In  like  manner  Jay  may 
be  named,  who,  by  editing  his  celebrated  Polyglot, 
reduced  himself  to  penury.  I  am,  you  see,  giving 
you  a  bibliographical  letter,  not  very  interesting  to  be 
sure,  but  I  am  surrounded  with  books  all  the  time,  and 
it  is  nothing  remarkable  that  some  of  them  should 
haunt  my  brain.  I  see  the  P — s  often,  not  so  often, 
however,  I  suppose,  as  they  do  me,  as  I  walk  rapidly, 
and  frequently  without  noticing  those  whom  I  meet. 
This  mortifies  me  sometimes,  but  so  it  is." 

"April,  1836. 

"  My  dear  Sister  Mary  :  —  The  past  year,  which 
I  have  just  been  looking  at,  as  on  a  fast-day  it  is 
proper  to  do,  has,  on  the  part  of  God,  been  a  year  of 
mercies ;  on  mine  of  imperfectly  performed  duties, 
and  heinous  sins;  and  yet  I  find  myself  still  sur- 
rounded with  blessings,  and  I  would  fain  hope  not 
without  some  beamings  from  that  world  where  all  is 
sinless  and  painless  forever  and  ever.  Religion  is, 
indeed,  a  very  sacred  thing  in  its  internal  experiences. 
The  choicest  hours  of  the  child  of  God  must  be  un- 
known to  the  world.  He  cannot,  if  he  would,  reveal 
the  joys  of  his  communion  with  the  Eternal.  It  is 
with  him,  in  this  respect,  as  with  Moses  of  old  whom 
the  people  saw  enter  the  tabernacle,  and  knew  that 
he  there  conversed  with  God.  They  saw  him  come 
out  of  it,  and  beheld  his  face  shining.  They  stood 
in  awe  of  him,  but  knew  not  of  his  communings 
with  Jehovah. 

"  What  inexpressible  present  bliss  do  those  lose 
22* 


258  MEMOIR    OF 

who  live  only  for  this  world  !  My  eyes,  my  ears,  my 
whole  soul  seem  often  to  be  just  opening  upon  this 
great,  this  hallowed  subject.  1  have  known  the  truth 
long,  and  felt  it  some,  I  hope,  but  oh,  how  feebly ! 
Still,  heaven  appears  at  times  to  beam  around  and 
upon  me  wdth  radiant  glory.  And  it  is  enough.  No 
matter  where,  or  what  we  are,  whether  in  sickness  or 
health,  in  prosperity  or  adversity,  in  Christian  lands 
or  heathen,  in  honor  or  dishonor,  in  life  or  death,  if 
we  are  where  God  is,  and  his  favor  is  with  us  —  we 
rejoice  in  affliction,  yea,  in  prison.  Though  our 
heads  sink  in  deep  waters,  if  the  love  of  God  be  shed 
abroad  in  our  souls,  with  the  Psalmist  we  can  sing, 
*  The  Lord  is  my  shepherd,  I  shall  not  want.'  O, 
my  poor  famishing  sister,  how  long  will  you  seek  for 
that  which  is  not  bread,  and  lie  dying  of  thirst  hard 
by  the  river  of  life  ?  I  have  prayed  and  wept  for 
you ;  shall  I,  must  I  give  you  up  ?  What  will  be- 
come of  you  ?  God  holds  his  chastening  rod  over 
you.  You  can  fly  from  me  and  from  Jesus,  but  I 
will  not  forsake  you;  I  will  follow  you  stifl,  and 
cease  not  to  remind  you  that  the  Spirit  and  the 
Bride  say  come^  and  that  whosoever  wiU,  may  take 
the  water  of  life  freely." 

Some  time  in  the  summer  of  1836,  a  discourse 
delivered  by  Mr.  T.  in  Lowell,  Sabbath  evening,  from 
the  words,  "  To  the  one  we  are  the  savor  of  death 
unto  death,  etc.,"  was  blessed  to  the  conversion  of  a 
man  notorious  for  wickedness  in  general  and  as  being 
one  of  the  leaders  of  an  infidel  club.  This  man  had 
strayed  into  the  place  of  worship,  and  was  brought, 
while  hearing  the  sermon,  into  great  agony  on  ac- 


REV.    OLIVER   A.    TAYLOR.  259 

count  of  his  sins,  which  continued  till  he  became 
hopefully  a  renewed  person. 

To  a  friend,  August  9. 

"  I  am  glad  you  remember  me,  although  for  a  long 
time  I  have  apparently  forgotten  you.  I  am  still  in 
all  the  entanglements  of  my  Catalogue,  and  feel  the 
effects  of  such  continued,  unvaried  labor,  on  my 
health,  spirits,  and  nerves.  I  hope  in  a  few  weeks 
to  be  able  to  break  away  and  visit  my  mother." 

August  24  he  left  Andover  for  Hawley,  where  he 
spent  a  few  weeks,  supplying  on  the  Sabbath  the 
west  parish  pulpit.  During  this  time  he  and  his 
mother  made  a  visit  to  his  sister  Russell,  then  resid- 
ing in  Windsor,  Massachusetts.  On  his  way  he 
called  upon  Rev.  Moses  Hallock,  of  Plainfield,  with 
whom,  as  usual,  he  enjoyed  a  delightful  interview. 
It  proved  their  last  meeting  on  earth.  The  venera- 
ble man  died  the  next  July. 

From  H.  he  wrote,  August  27,  to  his  brother  T.  at 
Andover. 

"My  dear  T. :  —  After  having  been  closeted  for 
months,  I  might  say  even  for  years,  I  find  it  very 
exhilarating  to  travel.  Nature  seems  to  stand  ready 
to  meet  me  and  conduct  me  about  to  witness  her 
objects  of  interest.  My  thoughts  are  turned  at  such 
times  out  of  their  ordinary  course,  and  flow  forth 
sometimes  through  winning  fields  and  down  into 
sweet  vales  ;  at  others  rush  over  rocks  and  moun- 
tains. Not  the  proud  eagle  himself  feels  more  glad- 
some, or  wings  his  way  over  wide-spreading  land- 
scapes with  greater  eagerness.     I  have,  however,  felt 


260  MEMOIR   OF 

during  this  tour  less  exhilarated  than  formerly,  owing 
in  part  to  the  fact  that  the  route  is  an  old  one.  I  am 
afraid  that  my  own  sensibility  to  nature  and  to  what- 
ever else  should  interest  me,  has  been  blunted  by 
nearly  fifteen  months  of  confinement  upon  the  cata- 
logue, at  which  I  at  first  looked  with  a  kind  of  horror, 
but  to  which  by  habit  I  have  now,  as  I  find,  become 
quite  reconciled.  I  never  was  —  at  least,  I  have  not 
been  of  late  years  —  so  vain  as  to  suppose  myself  a 
great  favorite  of  the  Muses.  Yet  I  do  firmly  believe 
they  have  occasionally  condescended  to  favor  me  with 
visits.  These  visits,  however,  have  been  solicited  on 
my  part  rather  than  made  voluntarily ;  I  fear  I  shall 
receive  no  more.  Having  been  sadly  grieved  away, 
these  goddesses  are  not  easily  wooed  back  again.  As 
a  nation,  I  doubt  whether  we  ever  produce  many  poets. 
But  you  must  not  suppose  th^t  my  journey  from  A. 
to  this  place  was  without  real  interest.  I  was,  in- 
deed, considerably  annoyed  between  Worcester  and 
Petersham  by  the  profane  language  of  a  young  man 
who  rode  with  me  on  the  outside  of  the  stage.  At 
the  first  convenient  stopping  place,  however,  I  made 
an  effort  to  reform  him.  Taking  him  aside  I  had 
several  minutes'  conversation  wdth  him  on  this  sub- 
ject, also  in  reference  to  his  abuse  of  a  colored  person 
who  was  riding  in  an  extra  behind  the  stage.  He 
swore  no  more  while  he  continued  on  the  route  with 
us.  Before  reaching  Greenfield  another  man  mounted 
the  box  and  swore  more  horribly  than  any  one  I  ever 

before  heard.    Soon  learning  that  his  name  was , 

I  reproved  him  most  severely  from  time  to  time  as 
in  the  course  of  the  journey  he  was  guilty  of  his 
besetting  sin." 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  261 

Writing  to  his  youngest  sister  in  the  autumn  of 
1836,  he  says  :  "  I  am  rejoiced  to  find  you  remember 
me.  I  love  to  hear  from  you  often,  and  love  to  write 
you  when  I  can,  only  you  must  let  me  have  my  own 
image  of  you  still  —  that  of  the  little  girl  that  you 
were.  But  my  dear  sister,  there  is  one  painful 
thought  which  comes  up  when  I  write  to  you.  As 
yet  you  have  not  given  me  any  reason  to  believe  you 
are  a  Christian,  and  what  will  you  do  without  a 
Saviour  ?  And  then  how  ungrateful  you  are  to  his 
love.  Well,  dear  sister,  I  will  pray  for  you  and  your 
husband.     Why  should  either  of  you  be  lost  ?  " 

To  a  friend. 

"  Andover,  Dec.  10,  1836. 

"  Your  remarks  on  charity  I  think  correct,  if  accom- 
panied with  suitable  caution.  I  would  have  such 
charity  cultivated  in  one  denomination  for  every  other 
soul  embracing  the  fundamentals  of  the  gospel  of 
Jesus  Christ,  that  if  there  were  a  small  country  vil- 
lage just  able  to  support  one  minister,  we  might  say 
to  its  inhabitants,  take  a  vote  among  yourselves 
whether  you  will  have  an  Episcopalian  society,  or  a 
Baptist,  or  a  Congregational,  or  a  Methodist.  The 
majority  should  rule,  and  the  minority  cheerfully 
submit.  In  cities  each  can  resort  to  his  own  denom- 
inational place  of  worship.  We  may  exchange 
pulpits,  but  cannot  intermingle  services  until  charity 
becomes  all-pervading.  I  would  read  prayers  for  the 
Episcopalian;  he  should  in  prayer  extemporize  for 
me.  Whether  such  a  time  of  charity  will  ever  come, 
I  know  not. 

"  I  have  preached  for  the  Baptists  and  expect  to 
preach  for  them  to-morrow ;  also  for  the  Methodists ; 


^62 


MEMOIR    OP 


and  two  Sabbaths  of  late  for  the  Episcopalians. 
Believe  me,  my  friend,  these  earthly  distinctions  will 
seem  very  insignificant  in  heaven.  I  have  bought 
Mr.  Van  Dyck's  book  on  Christian  union,  for  the 
purpose  of  reading  it,  and  perhaps,  if  I  can  get  time, 
I  may  enlarge  upon  some  of  its  topics,  or  draw  up 
a  distinct  treatise  upon  the  subject  myself.  But 
alas !  months  have  elapsed,  since  T  have  composed 
even  a  sermon.  My  time  has  been  spent  in  the 
dryest  studies.  I  am  withering.  The  wings  of  my 
imagination  are  clipped ;  rhetorical  fire  has  nearly 
gone  out,  if  ever  I  had  any.  I  am  scarcely  capable 
of  writing  a  letter ;  know  not  when  I  shall  be  able  to 
invite  back  gentle  emotion,  glowing  thought,  or  lay 
my  soul  open  to  any  thing  like  inspiration.  I  mur- 
mur not  at  my  lot.  It  has  its  blessings,  and  for  these 
I  would  be  grateful." 

In  the  autumn  of  1836  Mr.  T.  was  elected  assist- 
ant teacher  of  biblical  literature  for  the  ensuing 
seminary  year,  and  entered  upon  the  service  at  the 
commencement  of  the  term. 

Journal.  «  Jan.  25,  1837.  —  Professor  Stuart's  ill- 
ness places  me  in  a  very  trying  situation.  I  see  that 
I  must  live  by  prayer.  Have  been  more  interested 
than  ever  before  in  reading  and  examining  the  first 
chapter  of  Genesis  in  the  original. 

"  April  18. —  Had  my  class  examined  in  Hebrew. 
Every  thing  went  off  well.  Have  great  reason  to 
bless  God,  who  out  of  weakness  in  my  case  has  or- 
dained strength  ;  for  I  have  served  in  troublous  times, 
owing  to  the  sickness  of  Professor  S.     Many  preju- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  263 

dices  were  also  arrayed  against  me,  at  the  outset, 
but  all  has  ended  well,  and  the  end  crowns  the  work. 
What  more  is  before  me  I  know  not.  Dr.  Robinson 
has  made  inquiries  about  me  to  fill  his  place  at  New 
York,  while  he  goes  to  Germany  and  Palestine.  I 
am  now  entering  upon  the  printing  of  my  cata- 
logue." 

Writing  to  his  mother.  May  13,  Mr.  T.  unbosoms 
to  her  his  grief  on  the  death  of  Mr.  Johnson,  Pre- 
ceptor of  Phillips  Academy.  "  He  has  been  to  me  a 
near  and  dear  friend.  I  have  always  found  him 
having  a  warm  hand  and  a  warm  heart.  Often  has 
he  lighted  up  his  countenance  for  my  sake.  It  has 
been  as  an  adviser  in  my  hours  of  despondency  that 
I  have  found  him  particularly  valuable.  He  has 
often  stood  by  me  and  sustained  my  almost  sinking 
heart.  I  have  lost  a  friend,  and  in  this  cold-hearted 
world  such  a  loss  is  great.  But  he  is  now,  I  doubt 
not,  singing  praises  to  his  Redeemer  in  a  better 
world." 

In  a  letter  to  a  friend,  June  9,  he  says :  "  I  am  so 
incessantly  occupied  in  printing  my  catalogue,  that 
I  have  neglected  and  continue  to  neglect  all  else, 
mother,  brothers,  sisters,  and  every  friend.  I  hoped 
to  see  you  in  Boston,  where  I  spent  two  days,  though 
at  the  expense,  on  my  return,  of  bringing  down  upon 
me  a  mountain  of  toil.  I  had  purposed  to  visit  New 
York  about  this  time,  but  have  been  obliged  to  forego 
the  anticipated  pleasure.  I  have  been  invited  to 
attend  a  protracted  meeting  in  Dracut  this  week,  but 
cannot  leave  my  catalogue.  Of  course  a  compliance 
with  your  request  was  out  of  the  question,  however 
gratifying  it  would  have  been  to  my  own  feelings." 


264  MEMOIR    OF 

The  following  letter  will  explain  itself :  — 

"Theological  Seminary,  N.  Y.,  June  19,  1837. 
"  Rev.  Oliver  A.  Taylor.  Dear  Sir :  —  You  are 
aware,  perhaps,  that  we  are  desirous  of  obtaining 
some  person  to  occupy  my  place  as  instructor  in 
Hebrew  and  Greek,  during  the  year  of  my  absence 
in  Europe  and  Palestine.  My  thoughts  were  early 
directed  to  yourself,  and  I  made  inquiries  of  Prof. 
Stuart  several  months  since,  whether  you  could 
probably  be  obtained.  His  reply  was  that  you 
would  be  wanted  at  Andover.  For  this  reason  I 
have  been  making  inquiries  in  other  quarters,  but 
find  no  other  person  who  w^ould  be  so  acceptable  to 
the  faculty  and  directors.  I  am,  therefore,  induced 
to  make  the  inquiry  of  yourself,  whether  your  en- 
gagements are  such  as  would  permit  you  to  take 
charge  of  my  department  for  the  next  seminary  year. 
It  is  also  not  very  improbable  that  I  may  be  detained 
in  Europe  for  a  second  winter  ;  in  that  case  it  would 
be  desirable  that  you  should  continue.  Please  let 
me  hear  from  you  at  the  earliest  moment. 
"  Yours  sincerely, 

"  Edward  Robinson." 

This  invitation  Mr.  T.  declined,  as  it  was  difficult 
for  him  to  leave  A.  while  his  catalogue  was  in  press ; 
besides.  Prof.  Stuart  advised  him  not  to  accept  it, 
saying  that  he  would  probably  be  wanted  to  teach 
in  the  seminary  at  Andover. 

To  his  youngest  sister  on  the  death  of  a  child. 
The  letter  was  written  in  July. 

"  I  pretend  not  to  parental  sensibility.     Fraternal, 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  265 

however,  T  may  justly  claim,  and  though  I  have 
delayed  writing  to  you,  I  have  not  failed  to  bear 
your  case  on  my  mind  and  heart.  I  hope  the  loss  of 
your  dear  child  will  lead  you  and  your  husband  to 
reflect  on  your  ways,  to  loosen  your  hold  of  earthly 
things  and  fasten  your  hand  on  the  skies.  Only  in 
this  way  can  you  secure  permanent  satisfaction. 
There  is  something  inexpressibly  delightful  in  having 
a  Father  to  whom  we  may  go  —  a  heavenly  Father; 
an  immutable  friend.  On  the  other  hand,  there  is 
something  dark  and  gloomy  in  having  one's  hopes 
centred  on  this  world ;  confined  to  earth.  It  is  to  be 
like  the  poor  inhabitant  of  some  island,  who  sees  the 
waters  rising  higher  and  higher  around  him,  the  soil 
disappearing  on  every  side,  while  himself  is  wholly 
v^ithout  security  or  retreat.  The  worldly  see  the 
storm  beating  upon  their  habitations ;  the  floods  aris- 
ing which  must  surely  sweep  them  away.  My  dear 
sister,  how  kind  has  God  been  to  our  family !  Will 
you  requite  this  kindness  with  ingratitude  ?  Will 
you  reject  the  Saviour  who  has  exhibited  such  love 
for  you?  Go  to  him  in  all  your  sorrows^  in  all 
your  joys  let  him  have  your  heart,  your  soul,  your 
aU." 

To  his  mother,  the  same  month. 

"  I  love  to  think  of  you ;  I  love  to  write  you  letters ; 
I  love  to  converse  with  friends  about  you ;  I  love  to 
send  you  money ;  I  love  to  visit  you.  From  almost 
all  these  pleasures  I  am,  however,  at  present  cut  off". 
I  look  forward  to  the  time  when  my  present  slavish 
task  will  be  performed,  and  I  hope  it  will  be,  though  in- 
directly^ a  mite  for  the  kingdom  of  Christ.  Mrs.  John- 
23 


266  MEMOIR    OF 

son  was  highly  gratified  with  your  letter  of  sympa- 
thy, and  I  doubt  not  much  comforted  by  it. 

"  1  presume  you  feel  for  the  heathen  in  the  embar- 
rassment of  the  Board.  I  hope  that  in  proportion  as 
human  means  fail,  the  divine  will  increase ;  that  as 
the  missionaries  find  themselves  forsaken  at  home, 
they  will  rest  more  upon  God ;  that  though  they 
may  be  unable  to  do  so  much,  by  translating,  print- 
ing, and  educating,  they  will  preach  more.  Good 
old  Mr.  Hallock  I  see  has  gone  to  his  rest.  My  dear 
mother,  let  us  hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness ; 
let  us  agonize  for  a  preparation  to  follow  him." 

To  a  friend. 

"Ncwburyport,  Oct.  1,  1837. 

"  I  am  at  present  peculiarly  reduced  by  long  and 
severe  application.  My  nervous  system  is  sadly  out 
of  tune.  A  vacation  of  six  weeks  would  again  set 
me  up,  but  my  long  expected  catalogue  is  in  the 
press  and  anxiously  looked  for,  and  thus  is  completely 
in  the  way,  not  only  of  rest  and  relaxation,  but  of 
every  other  pursuit  or  situation. 

"  You  will  perceive  that  I  write  in  a  desponding 
frame.  As  a  key  to  it,  I  ought  perhaps  to  tell  you 
frankly  that  I  am  laboring  under  worldly  disappoint- 
ments —  that  in  other  respects,  too,  the  hand  of  the 
Lord  seems  to  be  upon  me,  while  I  am  conscious  of 
not  having  lived  as  near  to  him  as  I  ought,  —  and 
that  I  have  felt  and  now  feel  great  stragglings  be- 
tween being  wholly  satisfied  with  the  Lord's  will, 
and  choosing  for  myself.  Alas,  the  poison  of  sin  is 
everywhere  raging  in  the  human  heart.  I  feel  it  my- 
self.    Though  I  see  that  a  holy  elevation  of  soul  is 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  267 

attainable,  yet  oh  the  effort  to  obtain  it !  I  catch  a 
few  glimmering  rays  and  am  satisfied  that  they  come 
from  a  place  of  infinite  glories,  but  how  shall  I  pos- 
sess myself  more  fully  of  those  glories  ?  By  prayer 
and  fasting?  Yes,  but  the  flesh  is  weak  and  the 
spirit  easily  despairs." 

Journal.  "  Oct.  2.  —  This  day  is  long  to  be  re- 
membered as  one  of  high  religious  exercises.  As  I 
was  returning  from  Newburyport,  where  I  preached 
on  the  Sabbath,  I  felt  that  God  is  right,  and  could 
say  with  an  overflowing  heart,  amen  to  his  will  in  all 
the  disappointments.  I  have  of  late  experienced." 

"North  Andover,  Oct.  8,  1837. 

"  Dear  Mother  :  —  I  write  you  from  the  residence 
of  Mrs.  Barker,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Dwight,  who 
recently  died  of  the  plague  at  Constantinople.  I 
became  acquainted  with  this  family  a  number  of 
years  since.  The  room  in  which  I  now  am  was  Mrs. 
D.'s.  Here  she  was  under  conviction  of  sin ;  here, 
as  I  have  every  reason  to  believe,  she  prayed  over  the 
subject  of  missions,  and  decided  to  become  a  mis- 
sionary. In  the  room  directly  below  me  she  was 
married.  Mr.  Schauffler  was  present,  and  I  think 
brother  Emerson,  also,  now  at  the  Sandwich  Islands. 
It  seems  but  yesterday  that  we  expressed  our  con- 
gratulations, as  usual  on  such  occasions,  and  gave 
the  parting  hand.  Of  course  I  find  the  mother  in 
affliction,  yet  she  is  calm ;  she  says  it  is  difficult  to 
realize  that  she  can  see  her  daughter  no  more  on 
earth.  Mrs.  B.  has  given  me  a  detailed  account  of 
this  daughter's  trials  in  coming  out  from  a  non- 
evangelical  church  in  this  place.     I  think  I  could 


MEMOIR    OF 

deeply  sympathize  with  brother  Dwight  were  I  with 
him,  for,  as  you  hint,  1  too  have  had  trials !  Yet 
what  have  mine  been  ?  I  have  been  struck  by  the 
archer,  and  his  poisoned  arrow  has  quivered  for  days 
and  weeks  in  my  very  heart ;  but  the  wound  I  have 
borne  in  silence.  I  could  roll  and  toss  on  my  couch, 
yea,  with  Jonah  declare  it  better  to  die  than  to  live ; 
still  only  to  my  God  might  1  utter  the  anguish  of  my 
soul.  Yet  again  I  ask,  what  have  my  trials  been  ? 
Not  many  or  great,  perhaps,  to  a  soul  stayed  on  God ; 
not  many  or  great,  perhaps,  to  a  less  sensitive  nature 
than  mine,  but  to  tne  great.  I  am  too  delicately 
strung,  too  easily  bruised  to  come  in  contact  with  so 
rude  a  world.  But  what  have  my  trials  been  ?  My 
health  is  generally  good ;  I  have  been  successful, 
too,  in  my  studies.  As  teacher  of  Hebrew  1  am 
admitted  by  the  officers  to  have  excelled.  My  cata- 
logue, also,  is  in  a  fair  way  to  be  completed,  and  will, 
as  I  am  told,  prove  a  monument  of  industry  and 
scholastic  skill.  Yet,  I  have  trials.  Perhaps  they 
originate  in  the  imagination,  but  to  me  they  are  real. 
To  me  the  cup  is  bitter,  but  thanks  to  God,  I  have 
my  joys,  my  visits  of  consolation  from  the  Holy  One. 
I  have  known  it  to  be  good  to  have  the  last  fibre  of  the 
heart  severed  from  earth ;  to  sit  down  at  the  foot  of  the 
cross  and  to  lose  one's  own  will  in  that  of  the  Deity. 
1  have  again  and  again  felt  that  the  sun's  bright- 
ness is  but  a  faint  emblem  of  the  glories  of  the  upper 
world,  and  have  longed  for  such  a  heavenward  eleva- 
tion that  I  might  behold  this  globe  lying  far  beneath 
my  feet.  I  have  said  that  I  was  the  Lord's,  and  like 
Baxter  have  thought  I  had  nothing  for  which  to  live 
but  his  glory.     I  have  felt  that  whether  sick  or  well, 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  269 

honored  or  dishonored,  useful  or  useless,  I  had  noth- 
ing to  do  but  to  acquiesce  in  the  divine  will,  and  now 
God  is  taking  me  at  my  word.  He  tears  up  the 
gourd  T  have  planted,  and  leaves  me  fainting.  But 
then,  there  are  times  when  I  feel  his  hand  under  me, 
and  I  can  sing  '  The  Lord  is  my  shepherd,  I  shall 
not  want ; '  also  with  delight,  '  Thou  hast  searched 
me  and  known  me.'  I  can  likewise  appropriate 
to  myself  the  words  of  the  thirty-seventh  Psalm, 
—  T  have  streams  of  consolation  flowing  into  my 
soul;  I  am  overwhelmed  with  joy;  I  soar  on  wings 
of  celestial  love.  I  am  ashamed  of  my  murmurings  ; 
I  forgive  all  my  enemies ;  I  ask  forgiveness.  I  burst 
into  tears  of  delight.  I  am  swallowed  up  in  unut- 
terable bliss.  It  is  good  to  be  in  the  hands  of  God. 
I  am  a  little  child  in  a  vast  wilderness,  and  know  not 
the  way  any  whither.  But  my  Father  will  make  a 
path  plain  before  me  and  lead  me  in  the  way  of 
duty.  All  events  are  in  the  hands  of  God ;  he  ap- 
points, directs,  and  controls.  Thus,  dear  mother, 
agreeably  to  your  wishes,  have  I  given  you  a  faint 
transcript  of  my  own  mind.  I  have  hesitated  to  do 
so,  but  then  I  hope  it  will  insure  me  an  interest  in 
your  prayers." 

In  a  letter  to  a  correspondent,  dated  Andover,  Jan. 
14,  1838,  he  says :  "  I  have  heard  from  you  twice 
since  I  last  wrote,  but  my  catalogue  is  still  in  press, 
and  I  have  also,  for  about  five  weeks  past,  been 
taking  lessons  in  Arabic  of  Mr.' Bird,  all  which,  in 
addition  to  an  exercise  in  an  interesting  Shakspea- 
rean  club  at  Prof.  P.'s,  keep  me  very  much  occupied." 

January  23,  1838,  he  makes  this  record  in  his  jour- 
23* 


270  MEMOIR    OP 

nal :  "  We  have  just  laid  in  the  graveyard  of  the 
Theological  Seminary,  Mrs.  Cowles,  wife  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  C,  late  pastor  in  Danvers.  They  both 
perished  a  few  months  since,  by  the  wrecking  of  the 
steamboat  Home.  The  body  of  her  husband  has  not 
been  found.  A  multitude  of  thoughts  rushed  into 
my  mind  as  I  stood  looking  into  the  grave.  I  have 
preached  for  her  husband.  I  saw  them  both  at  the 
hotel  in  this  place  on  the  evening  of  the  last  Anni- 
versary. 

"  Feb.  21.  —  Put  the  last  stroke  to  my  catalogue 
and  saw  the  final  sheet  struck  off.  More  than  two 
years  and  seven  months  have  elapsed  since  I  com- 
menced this  work." 

It-  would  be  easy  to  multiply  testimonials  to 
the  fidelity  and  scholarship  with  which  this  work 
was  executed.  Only  one,  however,  will  be  adduced 
in  this  connection;  others  may  be  subsequently. 
Professor  Jewett,  in  the  Preface  to  his  Catalogue 
of  the  Library  of  Brown  University,  says :  "  In 
the  arrangement  of  the  Catalogue,  I  have  followed 
the  plan  of  Mr.  O.  A.  Taylor's  Catalogue  of  the 
Library  of  the  Theological  Seminary  in  Andover, 
Massachusetts ;  a  work  far  superior  to  all  others  of 
the  kind  which  have  been  published  in  this  country, 
and  which  has  been  pronounced  in  Germany  a  model 
for  a  Catalof^ve,  1  have  found  my  labors  considera- 
bly abridged  by  the  use  of  this  accurate  work." 

To  his  brother  Jeremiah,  at  Cummington,  Massa- 
chusetts, March  15,  1838. 

"  My  dear  J. : —  Mother  intimates  to  me  that  you 
sometimes  feel  discouraged.     You  should  not ;  there 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  271 

is  no  occasion  for  it.  If  you  are  on  the  Lord's  side 
he  will  be  on  yours.  I  am  chiefly  anxious  that  you 
should  be  found  faithful  in  the  path  of  duty,  that 
you  should  be  guarded  against  all  besetting  sins,  and 
be  wholly  devoted  to  God.  If  this  be  the  case  every 
thing  will  go  well  wdth  you  as  a  matter  of  course. 
You  must  learn  to  be  patient  in  labors,  for  the  bitter 
comes  before  the  sweet.  If  poor  and  destitute,  you 
must  bear  meekly  your  poverty,  looking  to  God  for  a 
supply  of  your  wants. 

"  Let  me  urge  you  to  the  most  faithful  improve- 
ment of  your  time.  You  are  advancing  in  life,  and 
as  a  scholar  you  have  not  a  minute  to  lose.  Study, 
study,  study  should  be  your  constant  employment. 
You  should  enter  college  without  a  moment's  delay 
when  once  well  prepared.  Aim  at  the  highest  point 
of  scholarship,  not  allowing  yourself  to  stumble  in  the 
recitation-room.  Practise  rigid  economy.  The  wear- 
ing of  old  clothes  may  occasion  you  unpleasant 
feelings  for  the  time  being,  but  if  you  improve  faith- 
fully your  mind,  you  will  ere  long  rise  above  them." 

Journal.  "  April  12.  —  If  I  know  my  own  heart, 
its  language  is,  Lorcl^  w/iat  vnit  thou  have  me  to  do  ? 
If  I  am  not  mistaken,  there  is  a  secret  resolve  in  me 
to  struggle  on  towards  the  cross.  While  hope,  how- 
ever, delays,  the  arrows  of  the  Almighty  drink  up 
my  spirit.  I  sink  in  deep  waters.  The  waves  and 
the  billows  roll  over  me. 

"  May  1.  —  No  change  has  yet  taken  place  in  my 
situation  or  prospects.  What  absolutely  overwhelms 
me  at  times,  is  the  rise  of  dark  clouds  of  sin  between 
me  and  my  God.     I  know  not  what  to  do.     Indeed, 


272  MEMOIR    OF 

it  seems  impossible  for  me  to  do  any  thing  except 
stand  still  and  call  upon  the  Lord.  Shall  I  go  on  a 
mission  to  the  East  ?  I  am  far  advanced  in  life ; 
have  a  diseased  body;  am  full  of  nervous  tenden- 
cies and  complaints.  Yet  perhaps  the  Lord  would 
have  me  go.  The  subject  has  been  for  years  before 
my  mind  and  now  weighs  upon  it  from  day  to  day. 
The  prominent  reason  why  it  has  not  hitherto  been 
decided  is  that  I  am  obliged  to  provide  for  my  mo- 
ther. It  would  seem  that  some  of  her  four  sons 
ought  to  be  missionaries."  The  other  three  were  at 
this  time  preparing  for  the  ministry. 

Extracts  from  a  letter  to  a  friend.  It  was  written 
at  Amesbury,  June  9,  1838. 

"  On  leaving  Andover  I  attended  the  anniversaries 
in  Boston,  and  have  since  preached  in  Marblehead 
and  Amesbury  (where  I  also  preach  to-morrow),  and 
have  been  as  far  as  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire. 
I  have  also  preached  several  times  for  Rev.  Mr. 
Eldridge  at  Hampton,  and  likewise  visited  several 
families  there.  Mr.  E.  has  a  very  encouraging  revi- 
val. Sinners  are  coming  to  the  cross ;  young  con- 
verts are  rejoicing  in  hope  ;  hard  drinkers  are  signing 
the  temperance  pledge ;  and  Christians  are  struggling 
in  prayer  to  God.  It  is  delightful  to  see  the  Saviour 
thus  honored. 

"  With  regard  to  myself,  my  health  is  poor.  I 
hoped  a  little  journeying  would  recruit  me.  Health 
I  have  always  imagined  to  be  a  beautiful  fairy -like 
nymph  residing  among  the  rocks  and  hills,  musing 
on  the  brinks  of  precipices,  or  skipping  over  the 
mountain  top,  and  occasionally  descending  to  bathe 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  273 

in  the  limpid  streams  of  the  vale.  I  have  sought  for 
her,  but  found  her  not.  She  is  offended  with  me, 
and  eludes  my  pursuit.  My  letter  will  show  you 
that  I  am  very  languid. 

"  I  would  fain  be  active  and  useful,  but  know  not 
that  I  shall  ever  accomplish  much.  I  think,  however,  of 
the  individual  spoken  of  in  Scripture,  who  did  what 
she  could,  and  pray  that  I  may  inherit  her  blessing." 

Journal.  "  June  19.  —  I  know,  O  Lord,  that  if 
thou  remove  thy  frown,  all  will  go  well.  Let  thy 
light  shine  upon  my  path.  I  hang  upon  thy  smiles. 
Grant  that  I  may  not  murmur  against  thee.  Give 
me  energy  to  do  something  while  life  passes.  —  I  try 
to  crawl,  broken,  maimed,  mangled  as  I  am,  up  Cal- 
vary, in  order  to  lay  all  my  burdens  and  to  present  my 
complaints  before  the  cross.  And  yet  I  tremble  lest,  as 
the  Israelites  had  quails  sent  to  them  in  anger,  I  shall 
3.1so  in  anger  receive  from  the  hand  of  God.  —  A 
letter  from  my  mother  yesterday ;  good  news  in  it ; 
my  youngest  sister  and  her  husband  it  is  hoped  have 
become  Christians. 

"Aug.  18.  —  My  birthday;  am  thirty-seven.  De- 
voted more  than  usual  time  to  reflection  in  the  morn- 
ing until  10  o'clock.  Was  then  interrupted.  I  wish 
to  be  lost  in  the  glory  of  God." 

Not  far  from  this  time,  by  special  request,  he  pub- 
lished in  the  American  Quarterly  Register,  a  statis- 
tical history  of  the  Andover  Theological  Seminary. 
He  likewise  prepared  an  edition  for  the  press,  of  a 
small  English  book,  called  "  The  Mourner ; "  a  very 
good  work.  It  was  issued  by  Messrs.  Gould  and 
Newman,  of  Andover. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

DEVOTES    HIMSELF    TO    PREACHING SETTLEMENT 

AT    MANCHESTER. 

As  the  summer  of  1838  closed,  a  variety  of  cir- 
cumstances seemed  to  indicate  to  Mr.  T.  that  the 
time  of  his  sojourn  at  Andover  should  be  terminated. 
Indeed,  he  became  convinced  that  God  was  calling 
him  away  from  that  hill  of  sacred  science,  on  which 
he  had  dwelt  for  so  many  years. 

October  16  he  wrote  the  following  letter  from 
Dracut,  where  he  was  supplying  a  pulpit,  to  his 
brother  T.  then  preaching  in  Londonderry,  New 
Hampshire. 

"  Two  deaths  were  announced  to  me  last  Sabbath, 
just  as  I  was  preparing  for  meeting,  one  of  a  child 
less  than  a  year  old,  and  the  other  of  a  young 
married  woman.  The  funeral  of  each  I  am  to  at- 
tend this  day.  The  last  death  has  taken  a  strong 
hold  upon  my  feelings ;  and  even  now  while  I  am 
writing,  though  twenty-four  hours  have  elapsed  since 
I  heard  of  the  event,  I  can  scarcely  refrain  from 
weeping.  I  feel  as  if  an  own  sister  had  been  cut 
,down.  Her  calm  countenance,  her  gentle  and  almost 
dying  whisper  of  inquiry  and  assent,  also  the  glassy 
and  fixed  gaze  of  her  eye,  united  with  her  breath- 


MEMOIR    OF    REV.    0.    A.    TAYLOR.  275 

ings  for  pardon ;  her  joyful  yet  trembling  expressions 
of  hope  in  the  Redeemer,  are  all  continually  present 
with  me.  Yesterday,  when  in  the. pulpit,  especially 
in  my  first  morning  prayer,  I  was  almost  suffocated 
with  emotion.  This  woman  was  probably  not  much 
above  twenty  years  of  age.  She  lived  about  three  and 
a  half  miles  from  the  house  in  which  I  board.  She 
belonged  to  an  intelligent  and  good  family,  though 
her  own  mother  is  not  a  professor  of  religion.  Her 
husband,  a  young  mechanic,  is  a  lovely  man,  though 
not  a  professor,  and  his  mother  is  an  excellent 
woman,  a  professor,  and  was  almost  always  with  her 
daughter-in-law,  fanning  her,  attending  to  her  inqui- 
ries, and  praying  at  her  side.  The  deceased  and 
her  husband  had  been  acquainted  with  each  other 
from  their  childhood,  and  their  mutual  attachment 
was  exceedingly  strong. 

"  About  ten  months  since,  they  were  married.  A 
handsome  house  was  finished  off  for  them.  She 
went  into  it,  made  up  a  fire,  and  spent  some  hours  in 
papering  the  walls.  Articles  of  furniture  had  also 
been  carried  into  it.  The  house  stands  there,  with 
every  thing  around  it  to  make  life  desirable ;  the 
embers  and  firebrands  remain  just  as  she  left  them, 
while  her  husband  weeps  in  brokenness  of  heart,  and 
she  lies  attired  for  the  grave,  a  victim  of  a  long  and 
flattering  consumption.  Early  in  her  sickness  I 
began  to  visit  her,  and  always  found  her  tender- 
hearted, inquiring,  and  ready  to  weep ;  nor  could  I 
on  visiting  her,  and  praying  with  her,  refrain  from 
weeping  myself.  She  seemed  to  wish  to  see  me, 
particularly  in  her  closing  days.  Last  week,  Thurs- 
day, I  was  sent  for  in  much  haste  to  see  her.     She 


276  MEMOIR    OF 

was  drawing  near  life's  close,  and  in  great  anxiety 
of  mind.  She  had  been  listening  to  a  prayer  of  her 
mother-in-law,  and  also  had  often  engaged  in  prayer 
herself.  I  prayed  with  her  three  times,  and  when  T 
told  her  I  must  go,  she  said,  do  not  go  yet^  and  then 
I  lingered  and  answered  other  inquiries.  I  visited 
her  again  on  Friday,  prayed  with  her,  and  bent  long 
over  her  couch  to  catch  her  whispers.  I  told  her  of 
the  cross  of  Christ;  repeated  '  There  is  a  fountain;' 
*  Behold  a  stranger  at  the  door ; '  '  Ho !  all  ye  hun- 
gry ; '  *  Ho !  every  one  that  thirsteth,'  etc. ;  spoke  of 
the  sin  of  having  put  off  repentance,  of  the  justice 
of  God ;  repeating  *  whatever  God  does  is  kindly 
done,'  telling  her  she  must  be  passive  in  his  hands  ; 
that  she  must  believe  in  Jesus,  and  rejoice  in  him, 
whatever  he  should  please  to  do  with  her ;  charged 
her  not  to  lean  on  me.  She  listened,  inquired,  whis- 
pered assent,  expressed  fears,  reached  after  the  plank 
of  salvation,  took  the  words  often  out  of  my  mouth, 
thanked  me  again  and  again  for  my  kindness,  and 
gave  me  a  parting  message  to  her  Sabbath  school 
companions,  telling  them  not  to  defer  repentance  as 
she  had  done ;  a  message  which  I  gave  them  yester- 
day. She  died  Saturday  about  eight,  a.  m.,  praying 
for  the  last  two  hours.  Lord  Jesns^  receive  my  spirit. 
O,  it  has  been  to  me  a  solemn  and  heart-rending 
scene." 

November  14,  1838,  Mr.  Taylor  was  ordained  as 
an  evangelist  at  Newburyport,  by  the  Presbytery  of 
that  place. 

Journal.  "  Dec.  1.  —  Prayed,  I  hope  sincerely,  that 
as  external  light  is  diminished,  internal  light  may  be 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  277 

increased.  5.  —  Am  today  in  my  room  at  Andover, 
endeavoring  to  bow  to  the  will  of  God,  though  I 
often  feel  almost  crushed.  Received  a  cheering  let- 
ter from  mother  last  Monday.  12.  —  Set  out  to- 
morrow for  Greenfield  in  order  to  preach  there  six 
Sabbaths  for  Rev.  Mr.  W.  who  is  to  be  absent  during 
the  time." 

To  his  brother  T.  at  Slatersville,  Rhode  Island. 

"Greenfield,  Mass.,  Dec.  17,  1838. 

"  I  arrived  here  last  week  Friday  evening.  It  was 
with  peculiar  emotions  and  under  a  very  trying  state 
of  feeling  that  I  thought  of  preaching  here  yester- 
day. About  twenty  years  since  I  was  a  poor  farm- 
er's boy  in  this  vicinity.  This  was  the  first  place  of 
any  note  that  I  ever  saw.  It  then  dazzled  me  with 
its  greatness.  It  contained  a  printing-offiee,  and  I 
believed  that  every  place  thus  endowed  must  be 
great.  It  was  here  that  I  then  exchanged  a  Bridge- 
water  Collection  of  Music  for  a  Bible,  which  was 
my  first  and  present  one.  I  hesitated  and  hesitated 
whether  to  preach  extempore  or  not,  but  at  last 
brought  myself  to  the  effort.  I  had  fixed  attention 
given  me,  only  my  sermons  were  too  long,  unless  I 
may  conclude  that  the  people  here  are  accustomed 
to  those  which  are  not  long  enough.  I  think  I  am 
coming  more  and  more  to  leave  matters  with  God, 
aiming  only  at  duty,  and  yet  this  term  duty  often 
becomes  cold  and  formal,  and  under  its  inflnence  we 
degenerate  into  a  state  of  lethargy." 

To  the  same,  December  31. 

"  The  gospel  of  Christ  increases  in  its  preciousness 
24 


278  MEMOIR    OF 

to  me,  yet  I  tremble  lest  I  shall  be  led  away  by  the 
phantasies  of  the  brain,  or  by  a  belief  in  an  imagi- 
nary Saviour.  I  can  only  take  refuge  in  the  prayer 
of  the  Psalmist,  — '  Search  me,  O  God,  and  know  my 
heart.'  Yesterday  was  an  interesting  day  with  me. 
There  had  been  a  death  during  the  week,  that  of  a 
merchant  in  this  village,  and  father  of  a  Unitarian 
clergyman  in  Boston.  In  the  evening  I  attended  a 
meeting  four  miles  distant  from  the  village.  Great 
spiritual  coldness  prevails  in  this  region,  though 
there  are  here  some  warm-hearted  Christians.  In  or- 
der to  do  good,  a  minister  must  be  free  and  bold  in 
preaching,  not  aiming  to  tickle  the  ears  of  men,  who 
imagine  themselves  possessed  of  critical  acumen, 
but  to  please  God.  I  am  sensible  that  the  Lord 
must  open  the  eyes  of  sinners  or  they  will  always 
remain  blind.  I  have  Hebrew,  German,  Greek, 
Arabic,  and  Latin  books  with  me,  but  I  am  not  in 
very  good  health." 

In  his  journal,  December  25,  he  says :  "  Am  not 
without  strong  desires  for  usefulness  and  heavenly 
attainments.     Long  much  to  visit  Palestine. 

"Jan.  1,  1839.  —  Entering  upon  another  year  I 
wish  to  draw  near  to  the  mercy-seat  and  throw  my- 
self wholly  into  the  arms  of  Divine  Providence,  and 
while  endeavoring  to  perform  my  duty,  leave  every 
result  with  God." 

To  his  brother  T. 

"Greenfield,  Jan.  8,  1839. 
"  Last  Sabbath  was  sacramental  here,  and  I  for 
the  first  time  administered  the  Lord's  Supper  in  full. 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  279 

I  felt  solemn,  and  saw  evidences  of  deep  emotion  all 
around  me.  Have  been  assured  by  the  people  that 
the  occasion  was  one  of  very  great  interest.  I  have 
sufficient  proof  that  the  pious  members  of  the  con- 
gregation enjoy  my  ministrations.  For  the  majority, 
however,  I  doubt  whether  I  am  not  too  pointed,  and 
yet  I  have  used  no  severity,  nor  have  I  preached  my 
most  searching  discourses.  I  was  tried  New  Year's 
day.  A  ball  had  been  appointed  which  the  children 
of  some  professors  attended.  How  could  I  forbear 
saying  on  the  following  Sabbath  that  the  most 
proper  way  to  spend  new  year's  day  is  in  prayer  in 
our  closets,  on  our  knees.  How  many  parents  forget 
the  case  of  Eli  and  his  sons.  From  time  to  time  I 
am  troubled  somewhat  with  despondency,  which 
arises,  I  presume,  chiefly  from  ill  health.  In  the 
main  I  become  more  and  more  interested  in  my  work 
as  a  minister,  nor  am  I  altogether  without  the  pres- 
ence of  the  Saviour.  His  love  is  at  times  inexpress- 
ibly sweet.  I  feel  that  I  shall  get  the  victory  over 
sin  and  death.  I  sat  down  under  the  Saviour's 
shadow  the  last  Sabbath,  and  his  banner  over  me 
was  love.  I  long,  however,  for  more  obvious  success, 
for  the  overwhelming  accompanying  influences  of 
the  Holy  Spirit.  This,  after  all,  may  result  from 
vanity.  O  the  sweet  wonders  of  the  cross  of  Christ. 
O  the  floods  of  glory  soon  to  break  upon  the  Chris- 
tian. My  dear  brother,  I  pray  for  you,  that  you  may 
be  wrapped  up  in  the  love  of  the  Redeemer,  and 
then  burn  like  a  fire  in  your  ministerial  course.  The 
day  of  trial  is  waning,  is  waning,  —  the  day  of  glo- 
rious reward  is  coming,  is  coming,  and  then  if  we 
endure  unto  the  end,  we  shall  enter  into  the  joy  of 


280  MEMOIR    OF 

our  Lord.  I  often  call  to  mind  the  words  with  which 
Mr.  Withington  commenced  his  charge  to  me :  '  Be 
thou  faithful  unto  death,  and  I  will  give  thee  a  crown 
■of  life.'  I  have  much  to  say,  much  to  write,  but 
must  forbear.  The  dignity  of  the  kingdom  of  God 
almost  overwhelms  me ;  the  elevation  of  soul  to  be 
derived  from  the  gospel,  far  surpasses  all  that  the 
earth  can  exhibit.  Two  Sabbaths  more  and  then 
again  I  am  afloat,  but  I  may  trust  in  the  Redeemer ; 
I  shall,  in  proportion  to  the  perfection  of  my  love  for 
him." 

To  the  same,  from  the  same  place,  January  16. 

^*  Yours  of  the  14th  inst,  together  with  the  letter 
missive  of  the  church,  came  to  hand  last  evening. 
I  have  read  them  with  great  interest ;  thought  again 
and  again  of  the  invitation,  and  long  to  be  present, 
in  order  to  give  you  the  right  hand  of  fellowship. 
Indeed,  I  feel  as  though  I  could  not  be  denied  ; 
there  would  be  something  so  pleasing  and  interest- 
ing, as  well  as  solemn,  in  the  service ;  one  brother, 
an  elder,  giving  the  right  hand  of  ministerial  fellow- 
ship to  another,  and  this  under  all  the  circumstances 
of  our  past  history!  Were  T  about  returning  to 
Andover,  it  would  not  be  much  out  of  my  way  to 
visit  you.  True,  the  next  Sabbath  completes  the  six 
for  which  I  was  engaged  here,  and  Mr.  Washburn 
returns  in  the  course  of  the  following  week,  to  remain 
awhile  with  his  people.  In  the  mean  time,  however, 
I  have  promised  to  preach  for  the,  people  in  Hatfield 
five  Sabbaths,  beginning  with  the  one  immediately 
after  I  get  through  here.  I  must,  therefore,  be  in  this 
region  to  preach  on  the  27th  inst.     Besides,  the  ex- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  281 

pense  of  a  visit  to  you  would  be  about  twelve  dol- 
lars, and  this  sum  I  wish  for  mother  and  sister  Mary. 
Moreover,  I  am  sick  in  a  sleigh-stage  nearly  all  the 
time,  or  liable  to  be.  I  should  also  find  it  a  hurrying 
ride  to  reach  you  in  season,  and  return  to  this  place 
at  the  close  of  the  week,  and  thence  to  Hawley; 
and  besides,  in  doing  so,  I  should  endanger  my  health, 
by  exposure  to  cold.  Still  further,  mother  and  Mary 
have  already  received  a  promise  from  me  of  a  visit 
during  the  week  of  your  ordination.  All  things 
considered,  therefore,  I  presume  you  will  think  with 
me,  that  duty  clearly  forbids  my  attempting  to  be 
present  with  you.  In  the  mean  time,  I  trust  my 
heart  will  be  with  you,  and  if  the  Lord  permit,  mo- 
ther, Mary,  and  myself,  will  then,  Wednesday  eve, 
at  six  o'clock,  be  engaged  in  conversing  about  you ; 
and  just  at  the  time  of  the  ordaining  services,  we  will, 
God  permitting,  kneel  around  the  family  altar,  in  their 
new  habitation,  and  remember  you  there.  And  may 
that  Saviour,  from  whom  all  true  authority  for  preach- 
ing must  spring,  be  with  you,  bless  you  in  your  new 
relations,  and  endow  you  plenteously  with  his  grace, 
making  your  path  shine  brighter  and  brighter,  unto 
the  perfect  day.  One  thing  I  wish  you  particularly 
to  aim  at,  on  the  occasion ;  humility.  Dedicate  your- 
self wholly  to  Jesus  Christ.  Lie  down  at  the  foot  of 
the  cross. 

"  With  regard  to  myself,  I  am  following,  I  hope, 
where  God  leads.  He  will  bring  me  out,  I  trust,  in 
the  end,  to  the  light  of  heaven.  My  labors  here  have 
had  cheering  marks  of  usefulness.  Some  Christians 
have  been  deeply  affected,  and  confessed  themselves 
instructed.  There  has  been  solemnity,  too,  in  the 
24* 


^82  MEMOIR    OF 

congregation  generally.  I  have  visited  the  people 
regularly,  and  have  had  a  biblical  lecture  every 
Wednesday  evening,  —  have  one  to-night,  in  pros- 
pect. I  have,  besides,  formed  several  interesting 
acquaintances. 

"  In  conclusion,  I  cannot  forbear  repeating  how 
deeply  I  am  grieved,  not  to  have  the  prospect  of 
being  with  you,  on  the  interesting  occasion  you 
have  before  you ;  but  I  must  deny  myself.  In  the 
mean  time,  thanks  to  you  and  to  the  church  for  the 
invitation  you  have  given  me. 

"  The  Lord  be  with  you,  and  bless  you  with  a 
double  portion  of  his  spirit.  Let  neither  of  us  forget 
our  consecration  to  his  service." 

"  Hatfield,  January  28. 

<*  Dear  Brother  T.  :  —  I  left  Greenfield  a  week 
ago  last  evening,  for  Dr.  Packard's,  Shelburne,  where 
I  passed  the  night,  and  had  an  agreeable  time.  The 
next  morning.  Rev.  T.  P.,  Jr.,  conveyed  me  to  the 
Falls.  Thence  I  proceeded  on  foot,  by  way  of  Char- 
lemont.  On  the  road,  21  mile  or  so  beyond  Shel- 
burne, I  was  struck  with  the  appearance  of  the  rocks. 
The  Deerfield  river  once  evidently  ran  over  them; 
and  if  so,  there  must  have  then  been  quite  a  lake 
above  them.  Where  I  called  in  C,  I  found  prepara- 
tions making  to  attend  a  funeral  at  the  public  house 
of  the  village.  Mr.  A.  was  to  preach  a  sermon.  I 
went ;  found  a  full  house,  and  was  invited  to  take  a 
part.  Read  selections  from  the  Scripture,  and  at  the 
close  of  the  sermon,  made  an  address.  Here  I  met 
with  former  acquaintances  from  Hawley,  who  kindly 
conveyed  me  to  their  own  home,  where  I  was  re- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  283 

freshed  and  religiously  entertained  till  the  approach 
of  night,  when  I  was  carried  to  the  foot  of  that  last 
long  mountain,  which  we  used  to  ascend  on  our  way 
to  the  house  of  God.  This  I  climbed  on  foot  and 
alone.  I  found  the  route  quite  slippery ;  besides,  I 
was  very  weary ;  otherwise,  I  enjoyed  the  walk  ex- 
ceedingly. The  ground  was  all  covered  with  snow, 
w^hile  at  the  same  time  the  moon,  nearly  full,  shone 
clearly  in  the  heavens  —  a  few  passing  clouds  ex- 
cepted. Every  thing  seemed  to  add  to  the  sublimity 
of  the  scene.  It  appeared  to  me  to  surpass  any 
thing  of  the  kind  that  I  had  ever  beheld.  I  walked 
a  little  way ;  then  paused  ;  looked  around  ;  admired 
the  works  of  God,  adored  his  majesty,  and  bowed  in 
reverence  before  him  ;  then  proceeded  onward  a  little, 
stopped  again,  and  gazed  and  adored  as  before. 
What,  doubtless,  added  to  the  interest  of  the  whole, 
were  the  recollections  associated  with  each  step. 
Here  1  had  walked  with  my  father,  hundreds  of 
times,  as  we  went  up  unto  the  house  of  God.  Here 
I  was  ridiculed  by  the  wicked  young  men,  who  were 
always  a  terror  to  me ;  and  here  I  had  sweet  and 
heavenly  intercourse  with  young  converts,  my  com- 
panions. 

"  I  found  mother  and  Mary  looking  out  for  me, 
as  I  had  dropped  a  line  to  them,  some  days  before  — 
intimating  my  visit.  Mother's  habitation  is  com- 
fortable. All  things  considered,  she  is  probably  now 
as  well  off  as  we  can  make  her,  so  far  as  situation 
is  concerned.  The  spot  is  quite  interesting  to  me, 
on  another  account.  I  look  out,  and  to  the  east  see 
hard  by,  the  window  of  that  pulpit  from  which,  year 
after  year,  I  heard  the  words  of  life,  spoken  by  Mr. 


284  MEMOIR    OF 

Grout.  There  is  the  meeting-house,  in  which  I  wit- 
nessed many  solemn  scenes.  We  thought  of  you  on 
the  evening  of  your  ordination." 

Deacon  Samuel  Hall  was  the  gentleman  at  whose 
house  he  was  entertained  as  above  stated,  and  by 
whom  he  was  conveyed  to  the  foot  of  the  mountain. 


"  Hatfield,  Mass.,  March  4. 

"  My  dear  Brother  T.  :  —  I  suppose  you  have  not 
time  to  write  me  once  a  week,  since  you  have  become 
a  pastor ;  and  yet  no  one  would  be  gladder  to  receive 
your  letters  than  myself,  even  though  they  should  be 
short.  Yesterday  was  the  last  of  my  six  Sabbaths 
here.  It  was  a  solemn  day.  Nineteen  were  taken 
into  the  church ;  eleven  of  whom  received  the  ordi- 
nance of  baptism.  These,  coming  forward  as  I 
called  out  their  names,  knelt  at  the  font,  when  I 
poured  the  water  on  their  heads,  with  my  hand.  As 
to  the  baptismal  formula,  I  altered  the  word  in  to 
into^  according  to  its  true  import,  and  the  frequent 
usages  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  to  which  I  have 
been  accustomed. 

"  Week  before  last,  after  about  four  years'  destitu- 
tion of  a  pastor,  the  people  gave  me  an  invitation  to 
settle  with  them  in  the  ministry,  salary  $800.  The 
invitation  was  unanimous,  I  heard.  There  was  not, 
I  am  told,  either  in  church  or  society,  a  single  dis- 
senting voice.  Every  thing  about  the  call  is  agreea- 
ble to  me,  and  it  was  given  after  I  had  preached  four 
Sabbaths  instead  of  six.  You  will  expect  me,  per- 
haps, to  decide  at  once.  The  probabilities  are  very 
strong,  that  I  shall  ultimately  accept  of  it ;  and  yet. 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  285 

not  long  since,  and  before  I  had  any  prospect  of  re- 
ceiving a  call  from  the  people  here,  I  had  received  a 
request  to  preach  in  Danvers.  It  came  through  Rev. 
Mr.  B.  By  means  of  the  same  individual,  I  had 
stated  the  terms  upon  which  1  would  do  it,  so  that, 
the  people  in  D.  signifying  their  acceptance  of  my 
terms,  I  am  under  a  pledge  to  comply  with  their 
request.  I  leave  this  evening  and  go  to  Northamp- 
ton, where  I  shall  take  the  stage  for  Boston  4;o-mor- 
row.  I  feel  many  misgivings,  in  view  of  the  great 
work  of  the  ministry ;  think  much  of  the  missionary 
field,  and  often  long  ardently  to  be  among  the  Mo- 
hammedans of  Palestine,  but  ill  health  makes  me 
hesitate." 

Journal.  "  Danvers,  March  19.  —  My  way,  since 
a  professor  of  religion,  has  lain  mostly  over  the 
mountains,  through  the  valleys,  and  among  the  en- 
tanglements of  the  wilderness.  Of  late,  however, 
though  sometimes  in  deep  sorrow  on  account  of  my 
sins,  I  have  struck  from  time  to  time  upon  the  river 
of  God,  and  been  permitted  for  some  space  to  walk 
along  its  banks,  and  often  to  stoop  down  and  drink 
of  its  waters,  yea,  even  to  bathe  in  its  delightful 
stream." 

The  following  was  written  in  reply  to  a  letter  from 
his  mother,  received  early  in  March.  The  state  of 
his  sister's  mind  was  represented  as  exceedingly 
dejected.  On  the  28th  he  says :  "  Finished  this 
morning  a  few  verses  for  the  comfort  of  sister  Mary. 
Her  spiritual  state  lies  with  much  weight  on  my 
mind." 


286  MEMOIR    OF 

"  Mary,  my  dear,  you  do  not  hear  me, 
For  hills  divide  and  many  a  care ; 
Yet  I  am  often  sighing-  near  thee, 
And  weeping  for  thee  fast  in  prayer ; 
O,  surely  you  might  feel  me  there. 

"  But  late  my  closing  eyes  espied  thee 
In  anguish  sore ;  much  gone  to  waste ; 
I  rose  and  ran  and  knelt  beside  thee. 
And  called  salvation's  cup  in  haste ;  — 
,  Methinks  my  sister  would  not  taste. 

"Just  laid  upon  my  anxious  ])illow, 
That  oft  for  thee  Avith  tears  1  lave, 
I  saw  thee  on  a  broken  billow, 

And  a  life-boat  gliding  near  to  save ; 
Yet  Mary  struggled  with  the  wave. 

"  I've  borne  thee  oft  to  Zion's  mountain, 
And  walked  with  thee  around  the  brink 
Of  Calvary's  gushing,  healing  fountain. 
Where  I  was  cured ;  yet  hard  to  think 
My  sister  would  not  stoop  to  drink. 

"  I  see  it  all  around  me  flowing  — 

God's  love  —  an  ocean  deep  and  wide, 
I  feel  its  raptures  through  me  glowing, 
And  fain  would  sail  along  the  tide, 
With  Mary  smiling  at  my  side. 

"  O  come,  my  sister,  cease  thy  weeping, 
A  brighter  day  must  sure  be  nigh  — 
The  star  of  morn  I  feel  is  sleeping 
For  thee  in  yonder  cloudless  sky ; 
Come,  yield  thy  heart  and  wipe  thine  eye. 

"  What  though  no  more  the  spring  delight  thee, 
And  flow'rets  vainly  strew  thy  way, — 
Eternity  is  dawning  brightly, 
Ht)w  lovely  is  the  opening  day ! 
While  angels  whisper,  *  Come  away.' " 


REV.    OLIVER   A.   TAYLOR.  287 

Journal.  "  March  28.  —  Have  promised  to  preach 
in  Manchester  this  evening.  I  think  much  about 
Hatfield.  The  thought  of  it  oppresses  me.  It 
seems  much  entwined  about  my  heart.  Lord,  guide 
me.  I  must  soon  determine.  31.  —  Have  been  to 
Manchester,  also  to  Gloucester.  Many  interesting 
associations  are  connected  in  my  mind  with  G." 

Near  this  time,  in  travelling,  he  had  occasion  to 
stop  a  few  hours  in  Natick.  Some  of  the  exercises 
of  his  mind  while  there  are  thus  described  :  "  I  sur- 
veyed the  place  all  around,  walking  some  distance 
to  the  north.  I  then  took  a  retired  road,  and  turned 
towards  the  south.  I  was  still  depressed,  and  sought 
refuge  in  prayer.  I  took  a  seat  by  the  side  of  the 
road  in  a  sunny  place,  and  wrapping  my  cloak  care- 
fully around  me,  continued  there  a  long  time  in 
prayer.  I  then  walked  in  another  direction  over  the 
fields,  and  through  the  snow,  securing  the  south  side 
of  a  rocky  hill,  and  there  again  vented  my  sighs, 
tears,  and  complaints  to  God.  I  prayed  that  if  it 
were  possible,  the  dark  cloud  that  was  enveloping 
me,  might  roll  off;  repeating  the  expression  again 
and  again,  with  sighs  and  flowing  tears,  but  begging 
at  the  same  time,  with  all  earnestness,  for  perfect 
resignation  to  the  will  of  God." 

The  following  is  extracted  from  a  letter  written 
to  his  brother  T.,  in  the  latter  part  of  March,  at 
Danvers. 

"  Whatever  be  the  result  of  my  labors  among  this 
people,  I  must  say  that  yesterday  we  had  a  most 
intensely  interesting  day.  The  house  was  over- 
flowing.    In  the  evening  also  we  were  unusually 


288  M-EMOIR    OF 

crowded.  During  the  whole  day,  though  I  was  much 
troubled  with  ill  health,  I  enjoyed  great  freedom  in 
the  services.  Nor  was  it  less  so  the  previous  Sab- 
bath. An  angel  seemed  to  come  early  in  the  morn- 
ing and  awake  me  to  its  duties,  and  to  watch  all  day 
at  my  side.  I  have,  however,  never  been  very  san- 
guine as  to  receiving  a  call  here.  I  have  met  with 
kind  hearts  and  voices.  If  the  people  should  give 
me  a  call,  I  am  doubtful  whether  I  could  accept  of 
it.     The  Lord  may  settle  things  for  me." 

Letter  to  Mrs.  Graves,  of  Hatfield,  written  at 
Andover,  April  8,  1839. 

"  Dear  Madam  :  —  In  a  letter  that  I  wrote  lately 
to  Deacon  B.,  I  requested  him  to  say  something  to 
you  about  my  rooms,  etc.  I  felt  it  necessary  then, 
to  retain  an  undecided  state  of  mind ;  but  now  feel 
it  to  be  so  no  longer,  and  therefore  say,  that  you  may 
expect  me  the  next  week.  I  have  thought  it  no  more 
than  fair  to  give  you  this  notice  beforeha^id. 

"  From  the  first  moment  of  receiving  a  call  to 
Hatfield,  I  have  felt  a  strong  inclination  to  accept  of 
it ;  and  I  can  truly  say,  that  my  feelings  have  been 
with  that  church  and  congregation,  with  whom  I 
had  such  a  number  of  interesting  meetings.  Cir- 
cumstances, however,  over  which  I  seemed  to  have 
no  control,  have  detained  my  answer  beyond  what 
would  be  the  proper  time  in  most  cases.  Indeed, 
had  I  not  been  importuned  beyond  measure  to  delay, 
and  even  to  negative  my  Hatfield  call,  and  at  the 
same  time,  had  I  not  seen  evidence,  that  by  this 
delay,  I  was  doing  something  to  harmonize  here  a 
hitherto  unfortunate  and  greatly  divided  people,  you 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.         '  289 

should  have  heard  from  me  long  before  this.  I  trust 
the  letters  I  have  written  from  time  to  time  to 
one  near  you  have  been  received.  I  wrote  a  few 
days  since  to  Deacon  B.,  stating  to  him  the  inclina- 
tion of  my  thoughts.  I  had  then,  —  considering  it 
would  take  me  all  this  week  to  pack  my  books, 
and  arrange  other  matters,  and  hence  that  it  would 
be  impossible  for  me  to  reach  Hatfield  so  as  to 
supply  the  desk  next  Sabbath,  —  consented  to  remain 
at  Danvers  another  week.  You  are  at  liberty  to 
say,  that  I  anticipate  with  pleasure,  reaching  my 
Hatfield  friends,  in  season  to  supply  their  pulpit 
by  exchange,  a  week  from  next  Sabbath,  and  to 
give  my  answer  in  due  form.  I  have  been  hard  at 
work  all  the  week  in  settling  up  accounts,  making 
purchases,  packing  books,  etc.  I  am  not  certain  at 
what  time  I  shall  reach  Northampton ;  perhaps  I 
may  stop  at  Hadley,  and  cross  the  ferry.  I  shall 
wait  to  see  my  books  transported  to  Worcester,  and 
this  may  delay  me  until  the  latter  part  of  the  week. 
I  should  like  an  exchange  arranged  with  the   Rev. 

Mr. ,  preferring  to  supply  you  in  this  way  until 

after  my  installation.  May  the  Lord  make  the  con- 
templated relation  into  which,  as  pastor  and  people, 
we  propose  to  enter,  mutually  beneficial.  I  am  now 
in  haste. 

"  I  have  not  forgotten  the  afflicted  family  of  Dr.  B. 
With  all  due  remembrances,  I  remain  your  friend." 

Just  as  Mr.  T.  seemed  on  the  point  of  deciding  to 

accept  the  Hatfield  call,  he  received  a  letter  from  that 

place,  which   he    denominated  dreadful.     Some    of 

the  people  were  becoming  impatient  of  his  delay. 

25 


290  MEMOIR    OF 

Candidates  had  passed  that  way.  To  this  letter  he 
thus  alludes :  "  I  never  before  suffered  such  a  night 
as  was  the  one  after  its  receipt.  For  a  long  time  it 
seemed  to  me  that  my  reason  reeled.  I  felt  afraid  of 
insanity.  It  was  Saturday  night,  yet  I  preached 
three  times  the  next  day,  and  in  the  afternoon  the 
love,  the  overwhelming  love  of  God,  came  gushing 
up  all  around  me,  and  brought  relief." 

"  Danvers,  April  15.  —  In  my  pulpit  in  the  morn- 
ing, I  found  this  quotation,  signed  St.  Paul,  '  Now 
he  that  ministereth  seed  to  the  sower,'  etc.,  accom- 
panied with  a  ten  dollar  bill.  At  the  close  of  my 
services  last  evening,  I  received  a  note  from  a  mem- 
ber of  the  congregation,  with  grateful  expressions 
for  what  I  had  been  instrumental  in  doing  for  the 
writer's  soul,  in  bringing  it  off  from  a  false  hope,  etc. 
30. —  The  Lord  is  giving  me  full  opportunity  to 
bring  all  my  Christian  graces  into  exercise.  Oh,  for 
faith !  Now  I  feel  how  very  weak  my  faith  is.  It 
is  good  to  be  in  the  hands  of  God.     Amen  and 


About  the  first  of  May  Mr.  T.  visited  Hatfield, 
and  the  call  to  settle  there  was  repeated,  but  not 
with  the  unanimity  which  at  first  characterized  it. 
Extracts  from  his  reply  to  it  are  here  inserted. 

"  At  the  very  outset,  I  must  say,  that,  owing  to 
the  division  I  have  thus  unintentionally  occasioned 
among  you,  I  feel  very  solicitous,  so  to  approach  the 
subject  and  decide  respecting  it,  as  shall  do  away,  as 
far  as  possible,  ^vith  any  present  or  future  evil  which 
might  thence  result.     It  is  very  painful  to  be  even 


•         REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  291 

innocently  the  occasion  of  division,  —  of  unhappy- 
dissension  in  the  church  of  Christ,  and  especially 
among  attached  and  esteemed  friends.  Could  I  hope 
therefore  to  unite  you  again,  I  should  have  no  doubt 
what  course  to  pursue.  Strong  as  is  the  minority 
that  opposes  me,  were  the  division  about  the  princi- 
ples of  eternal  truth,  I  should  not  have  any  hesitation 
in  regard  to  deciding  in  the  affirmative.  The  Lord 
would,  perhaps,  absolutely  require  it  of  me.  This,  how- 
ever, is  not  the  case.  I  not  only  find  a  strong  minor- 
ity against  me,  but  I  discover  more  than  one  in  it  with 
whom,  during  my  short  sojourn  with  you  last  win- 
ter, I  took  sweet  counsel,  and  with  whom  I  should 
wish  often  to  consult  again.  It  seems  that  my  expla- 
nations have  not  been  satisfactory.  It  is  thought  that 
I  am  guilty  of  Christian  obliquity  in  the  case.  This 
is  painful  to  me.  I  have  made  a  statement  of  facts 
which  ought,  as  I  suppose,  to  be  deemed  truthful ; 
but  it  is  not  approved.  Were  I  then  to  accept  of  your 
call,  I  should  have  to  stand  continually  on  the  defen- 
sive^ and  at  the  same  time,  at  least  in  respect  to  some 
of  you,  be  deprived  of  that  most  important  source 
of  influence,  the  confidence  which  arises  from  a  belief 
in  one's  Christian  integrity.'  Should  I  be  able  soon 
to  do  away  with  a  feeling  which  would  result  from 
a  want  of  such  confidence?  I  fear  not.  Having 
a  strong  prejudice  arrayed  against  me  in  the  church 
and  society,  I  might  often  find  it  peculiarly  difficult,  so 
to  present  those  truths  against  which  the  human  heart 
naturally  revolts,  as  even  to  obtain  a  patient  hearing. 
I,  therefore,  feel  constrained  to  return  an  answer  in 
the  negative.  It  is  in  many  respects  a  very  painful 
step  for  me,  but  I  hope  it  will  be  the  most  harmoni- 


292  MEMOIROP  • 

ous  for  you.  I  should  deeply  regret  any  dissensions 
among  you ;  and  of  my  more  attached  friends,  in 
particular,  I  beg  it  as  a  great  favor  that  they  would 
always  conduct  as  becomes  the  Christian  character, 
showing  themselves  full  of  that  charity  which  suf- 
fereth  long  and  is  kind.  Such  a  course  will  be 
their  best  token  of  friendship  for  me.  I  should  be 
very  much  grieved  by  the  opposite.  Wishing  you 
grace,  mercy,  and  peace  from  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  praying  that  brotherly  love  may  be  restored 
where  it  is  wanting  and  always  abound,  I  subscribe 
myself,  yours  truly." 

With  reference  to  the  termination  of  the  scenes  at 
Hatfield,  he  thus  speaks  in  a  letter  to  his  brother  T., 
May  22. 

"  My  gourd  is  at  length  wholly  gone.  It  withered 
entirely  away  last  Saturday  morning.  Of  course 
you  will  see  that  I  have  been  called  to  pass  through 
a  fiery  trial.  The  shock  for  awhile  was  fearful,  but 
I  have  now  somewhat  calmed  down,  with  the  thought 
that  the  Lord  reigns ;  and  I  feel  that  nothing  remains 
but  for  me  to  make  a  moral  and  religious  use  of  the 
trial  as  the  means  of  probing  my  heart  the  more 
thoroughly,  and  of  preparing  me  for  a  higher  and 
better  world.  I  think  I  have  no  disposition  to  mur- 
mur at  God ;  on  the  other  hand,  at  times  I  experi- 
ence a  soul-acquiescence  in  his  will.  All  things  must 
come  out  right,  if  he  be  my  guide.  I  shall  endeavor 
hereafter  to  be  more  prayerful  in  seeking  his  direc- 
tion. It  is  on  this  point,  more  than  on  any  other,  I 
feel  that  I  have  failed  in  duty,  though  I  have  at  all 
times  aimed  faithfully  to  seek  divine  guidance.   God's 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  293 

bosom  is  calm  and  serene  —  not  a  wave  of  trouble 
ruffles  the  surface  of  the  vast  ocean  of  his  love." 

It  should,  perhaps,  be  stated  in  this  connection, 
that  during  the  exciting  scenes  just  brought  to  view 
Mr.  T.  received  two  urgent  calls  to  preach  as  a  can- 
didate in  places  not  named  in  these  pages. 

It  was  some  time  in  July,  1839,  that  he  began  to 
preach  in  Manchester  as  a  candidate. 

Journal.  "  July  12.  —  Am  in  very  poor  health  and 
almost  ready  to  give  up  all  exertions.  The  Lord 
uphold  me  and  guide  me.  I  cannot  forget  the  mis- 
sionary field.  Shall  I  ^o  on  a  mission,  are  words 
continually  occurring  to  me.  Indeed,  last  week  I 
commenced  a  letter  to  the  American  Board  on  the 
subject,  but  did  not  finish  it.  15.  —  All  things  on 
earth  are  uncertain.  Heaven  seems  glorious.  Blessed 
are  its  inhabitants ;  sweet  is  the  work  there.  O  let 
me  hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness  and  long 
for  the  image  of  my  Redeemer  to  be  formed  in  my 
soul  more  perfectly.  Let  me  struggle  onward  toward 
the  cross.  My  all,  .Jesus,  I  would  again  and  again 
dedicate  to  thee.  18.  —  Arose  early  this  morning 
and  walked  until  I  secured  a  place  for  retirement.  I 
was  almost  in  despair,  but  at  the  mercy-seat  I  found 
the  Lord.  His  promises  appeared  precious.  I  be- 
came indifferent  to  every  thing  except  his  will.  And 
now  with  much  cheerfulness  I  see  the  duties  of  the 
Sabbath  before  me.  19.  —  Was  carried  happily 
through  yesterday.  The  sweet  savor  of  the  morning 
endured  till  evening,  as  the  taste  of  delicious  fruit 
long  remains  on  the  tongue ;  and  as  Milton  makes 
25* 


294  MEMOIR    OF 

Adam  continue  atterit  as  if  still  hearing  long  after 
the  angel  had  ceased  to  speak  —  so  delightful  were 
his  words.  This  morning  I  was  troubled  with  al- 
most -irresistible  desires  for  my  old  studies.  In 
prayer,  however,  relief  flowed  into  my  soul.  The 
love  of  God  was  all  in  all.  I  longed  to  be  a  mission- 
ary and  felt  that  I  must  give  myself  away  to  the 
American  Board  whether  I  should  be  accepted  or 
not,  while  at  the  same  time  I  was  willing  to  labor 
anywhere.  The  words,  '  For  me  to  live  is  Christ, 
and  to  die  is  gain,'  came  'over  me  with  great  frrce. 
I  desired  more  of  those  chastisements  that  should 
draw  me  nearer  to  the  Lord.  I  prayed  for  the  con- 
tinued presence  of  my  Saviour.  22.  —  Feel  very 
anxious  to  visit  Palestine,  also  have  pantings  after 
my  old  pursuits,  but  pray  for  resignation." 

Items.  "  Manchester,  July  19.  —  Some  of  the 
good  people  here,  day  before  yesterday,  at  a  firing- 
match,  used  for  a  mark  the  likeness  of  an  Indian, 
which  had  been  drawn  out  for  the  purpose  in  due 
size  and  form,  with  a  bow  and  arrow  in  his  hand. 
The  same  thing,  I  understand,  was  done  in  Beverly 
not  many  days  since.  I  saw  this  Indian  portrait 
yesterday,  at  the  public  house  in  this  place.  Balls 
had  perforated  his  head,  his  heart,  and  other  parts  of 
his  body.  Very  much  out  of  taste  this,  for  Chris- 
tians !  The  Indian  is  my  brother.  How  can  I  bear 
to  have  a  likeness  of  him  served  thus  ?  How  can 
men  dare  thus  to  abuse  it?  What  would  saints  and 
angels  say  of  such  conduct?" 

"  During  my  visit  yesterday,  at  what  is  called  New- 
port, I  saw  an  individual  whose  case  deserves  notice. 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  295 

He  was  forty-one  years  of  age  the  16th  of  May  last, 
but  now  lies  in  his  cradle  like  an  infant,  and  is  fed 
like  one.  His  mother,  a  kind-hearted  and  remarka- 
bly suavifer  in  modo  woman,  talks  to  him  as  if  he 
were  a  little  child,  and  also  humors  him  as  such. 
He  has  lain  thirty  years  in  his  large  cradle.  He  has 
a  good,  indeed  a  superior  physiognomy,  and  was,  as 
is  positively  testified  by  those  who  know,  a  pre- 
cocious child,  being  very  sprightly,  active,  and  quick 
to  learn.  His  mother  says  he  could  sing  like  a 
nightingale,  and  whistle  most  delightfully,  when  only 
one  year  of  age.  At  about  two  he  was  very  sorely 
afflicted  with  humors  in  his  eyes,  and  became 
blind,  under  the  bad  management  of  a  physician, 
who,  it  would  seem,  tried  experiments  with  him. 
Being  much  reduced  in  strength  by  medicinal  treat- 
ment, a  heavy  tempest  that  occurred  Sept.  28,  1802, 
deprived  him  of  his  reason ;  also  of  his  speech,  and 
brought  on  the  St.  Vitus's  dance.  He  continued, 
however,  to  play  around  like  other  children,  until  ten 
or  eleven  years  of  age,  —  becoming  all  the  time  weaker 
and  weaker,  —  when  he  lost  all  strength.  Since  then, 
blind  and  helpless,  he  has  lain  in  his  cradle.  He 
seems  to  love  his  mother,  helps  himself  all  he  can 
when  she  attempts  to  lift  him  up  ;  but  is  pined  away 
to  skin  and  bones.  He  utters  a  kind  of  whining 
and  mournful  sound,  and  keeps  his  head  covered  up, 
as  if  the  light  and  noise  would  injure  him.  The 
thought  occurs  to  me  that  he  was  a  superior  genius, 
but  the  circumstances  amid  which  he  began  life  were 
too  rough  for  him.  While  the  doctor's  treatment 
broke  down  his  physical  frame,  the  thunders  of 
heaven  blasted  his  mind.     Here  let  me  learn  a  lesson 


296  MEMOIR    OF 

i 
of  contentment.     Reflect  on   this   providence.     His 
mother^s  attachment  to  him  is  very  strong.     I  made 
him  a  present." 

"  Manchester,  July  23,  1839. 

"  Dear  Brother  T.  :  —  The  kindest,  dearest,  and 
most  esteemed  friend  I  ever  had  on  earth,  (my  mo- 
ther alone  excepted,  not  here  to  ^peak  of  my  father,) 
has  gone  to  his  grave,  and  is  now,  I  would  fain  hope, 
in  the  presence  of  his  God,  singing  praise  to  the 
great  Redeemer.  1  refer  to  my  uncle,  T.  Alden.  To 
him,  more  than  to  any  other  person,  am  I  indebted 
for  my  education.  His  benevolence  1  remember  with 
deep  emotion.  His  kindness  and  other  excellent 
traits  have  endeared  him  to  my  heart.  Lovely  and 
pleasant  was  he  to  me  in  life.  I  had  hoped  to  see  him 
again  in  the  land  of  the  living,  but  cannot.  He  has  met 
his  beloved  Stearns.*  This  dear  class  mate,  accord- 
ing to  his  own  expression,  has  now,  I  trust,  in  con- 
nection with  his  son  Samuel,  enjoyed  the  happy  privi- 
lege of  ushering  our  uncle  into  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.  I  feel  that  I  now  have  one  tie  less  to  bind 
me  to  earth ;  that  I  now  have  one  motive  less  to  earthly 
ambition.  He  was  one  of  those  whose  good  opin- 
ion I  specially  prized,  and  wished  to  obtain.  There 
are  but  few  who  exert  a  similar  influence  upon  me,  in 
this  respect.  Let  these  be  taken  and  what  shall  I 
have  left  on  earth  ?  I  see  it  clearly ;  the  glory  of 
God  is  the  only  object  worth  living  for.  It  is  the 
only  enduring  one.  It  looks  to  me  more  and  more 
strange  that  any  man  should  seek  the  honors  of  this 
world.     I  consecrate  myself  anew  to   my  •  Creator. 

*  Eev.  Samuel  Stearns,  of  Bedford,  Massachusetts. 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  297 

I  study  to  find  out  a  deeper  meaning  than  I  ordina- 
rily perceive  in  the  words,  '  For  me  to  live  is  Christ.' 
When  I  get  hold  of  this  meaning  I  feel  happy.  I 
am  then  enabled  to  say,  I  shall  now  toil  on  cheer- 
fully through  my  threescore  years  and  ten,  or  till  my 
Master  come  for  me.  I  see  it  will  be  great  gain  for 
me  to  enter  into  the  joy  of  my  Lord.  O  glow  of 
love !  Sweet  cross,  sweet  trials,  glorious  reward. 
Be  strong  my  dear  brother  in  the  Lord,  and  in  the 
power  of  his  might.  Live  for  eternity.  The  com- 
bat increases,  but  the  prospect  of  victory  brightens. 
A  few  more  ties  severed  and  earth  chains  us  no 
longer.  The  Lord  I  hope  will  direct  me.  I  give  all 
up  to  him.  I  subscribe  myself  anew  every  morning 
to  the  God  of  Jacob."  ^ 

Under  the  same  date  with  the  preceding  he  ad- 
dressed the  following  to  his  mother :  "  Our  mutual 
friend  is  gone.  Your  eldest  brother  is  no  more.  O 
my  friend,  my  dear  revered  friend,  lovely  and  pleas- 
ant hast  thou  been  to  me.  Pure  was  thy  heart,  and 
if  here  and  there  ambition  mingled  with  thy  pur- 
pose, yet  exalted  was  thy  aim.  The  Lord  comfort 
you,  my  dear  mother,  and  sanctify  this  Providence  to 
you.  Perhaps  it  will  be  your  turn  to  die  next.  May 
your  lamp  be  trimmed  and  burning.  I  pray  that  you 
may  be  long  spared,  and  yet  how  pleasant  it  must 
be  to  the  weary  pilgrim  to  arrive  at  his  heavenly 
home !  With  what  glorious  hopes  are  we  cheered ! 
a  crown,  an  immortal  crown  glitters  before  us." 

Journal.  "  July  28.  —  Spent  much  time  this  morn- 
ing as  usual  in  the  woods  in  secret  prayer ;  had  sweet 


298  MEMOIR    OF 

communion  I  trust  with  God.  Was  very  much 
oppressed  when  I  went  out,  but  divine  love  soon 
came  to  my  relief.  Thought  much  of  the  mission- 
ary cause.  Shall  I  go,  shall  I  go  ?  I  feel  at  least  in 
times  of  secret  prayer  as  if  I  could  go  wherever  the 
Lord  may  send  me.  Lord,  hold  me  back  from  all- 
mixture  of  unholy  motives  in  this  case. 

"  Aug  4.  —  Was  seized  yesterday  with  my  old 
craving  after  literary  pursuits.  It  continued  hold  of 
me  till  late  this  (Sabbath)  morning;  but  during 
secret  prayer  I  gained  some  relief.  My  hour  for  this 
duty  has  been  of  late  from  half  past  five  to  half  past 
six,  A.  M.,  in  the  looods^ 

In  the  first  part  of  this  month,  Mr.  T.  drew  up  a 
statement  for  the  American  Board  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions, presenting  his  own  case,  as  it  lay  before  him- 
self, and  requesting  the  opinion  of  that  Body  in 
respect  to  his  duty.  This  document  he  forwarded  to 
Boston,  August  10 ;  the  substance  of  it  is  here  in- 
serted. 

"  SHALL    I    GO    ON    A    MISSION  ? 

"  General  reasons  in  favor  of  mif  going.  —  The 
world  lies  in  ruins,  and  it  is  our  duty  to  reclaim  it. 
The  Saviour  has  laid  his  commands  on  us  to  this 
effect. 

"  A  missionary  life  is  one  of  self-denial,  and  a 
safe  one  for  the  flesh.  Such  a  service,  if  rendered 
heartily,  insures  perhaps  the  greatest  reward.  It  is 
often  a  short  course  to  the  believer's  crown. 

"  It  is  the  only  way  of  bringing  deliverance  to 
millions  that  greatly  need  it,  for  by  no  other  means 
can  converts  be  secured  for  heaven,  out  of  the  hea- 


REV.    OLIVER   A.    TAYLOR.  299 

then  world,  and  we  may  hope  that  by  missionary 
effort  myriads  will  be  saved  from  everlasting  burnings. 

"  There  are  many  other  reasons,  of  similar  general 
import,  that  might  be  added. 

"  Particular  reasons^  etc,  —  My  mother's  family  has 
been  greatly  blessed.  Out  of  her  four  sons,  who, 
either  are  now  or  are  expecting  to  be,  ministers  of 
the  gospel,  it  would  seem  that  at  least  one  should  be 
a  missionary. 

"  I  have  always  desired  to  go  to  those  countries 
about  the  Mediterranean,  where  missionaries  are 
greatly  needed,  and  while  I  was  in  the  Seminary  I 
pledged  myself  that  I  would  not,  for  slight  reasons, 
pass  by  the  missionary  cause. 

"  I  stiH  often  feel,  as  I  have  done  in  times  past,  a 
strong  inclination  for  the  labors,  and  trials,  and  final 
rewards  of  a  missionary.  Indeed,  I  think  sometimes 
that  I  ought  to  go,  for  the  purpose  of  speeding 
my  own  journey  onward  to  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 
I  may  make  too  easy  work  of  being  a  Christian,  if  I 
stay  at  home. 

"  I  have  some  linguistic  tastes  and  qualifications 
for  the  missionary  field,  especially  for  the  oriental 
countries  of  the  Bible.  I  love  languages,  and  am 
not  unskilful  in  attaining  them.  I  could  soon  speak 
the  French,  German,  and  modern  Greek.  In  my 
knowledge  of  the  Hebrew,  I  have  surmounted  some 
of  the  chief  difficulties  of  that  family  of  languages, 
to  which  the  Arabic  belongs. 

"  I  have  great  perseverance  in  overcoming  difficul- 
ties. When  I  can  take  fairly  hold  of  them  and  can 
attend  to  them  day  after  day,  they  do  not  easily 
appal  me. 


300  MEMOIR    OF 

"  The  brethren  that  are  already  in  those  fields,  to 
some  one  of  which  I  should  wish  to  go,  have  been 
among  my  dearest  associates,  and  I  would  fain  be 
united  with  them,  and  have  my  conversation  and 
my  studies  as  well  as  my  sufferings,  like  theirs,  alto- 
gether about  the  things  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ. 

"  There  are  times  when  I  have  unutterable  long- 
ings to  bind  up  the  broken-hearted  among  the  hea- 
then, and  lead  the  blind  to  Jesus.  The  subject  of 
missions  comes  up  before  me,  in  a  variety  of  forms, 
and  continually  forces  itself  upon  my  mind ;  so  that, 
whether  I  shall  be  accepted  by  the  ^oard  or  not,  I 
am  forced  to  make  a  dedication  of  myself  to  the 
missionary  work. 

"  I  am  noiv  prepared  to  go.  The  money  that  I  have 
at  command,  if  I  mistake  not,  would  cover  all  my 
debts.  -  At  the  same  time,  I  have  all  the  books  that 
are  necessary  for  a  missionary  residence  in  Palestine, 
*  Rees,'  perhaps,  excepted. 

"  My  physical  nature,  if  I  mistake  not,  has  much 
pliability  in  it,  and  though  it  would  find  some  things 
disagreeable  at  first,  it  would  soon  become  reconciled 
to  them.  From  my  childhood  I  have  been  accus- 
tomed to  a  variety  of  hardships. 

"  The  idea  of  giving  up  all  to  Jesus  Christ,  is  one 
of  the  sweetest  that  ever  takes  possession  of  my  soul. 
A  self-sacrificing  spirit  can,  indeed,  be  developed 
anywhere,  but  the  missionary  is  pledged  to  practise 
what,  in  other  cases,  is  often  nothing  more  than  a 
naked  theory. 

"  The  subject  of  going  on  a  mission,  which  has 
been  so  long  before  my  mind,  was  postponed  to  the 
anniversary  of  the  Theological  Seminary,  in  1838, 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  301 

by   family    circumstances,   ratlier    than    any   thing 
else. 

"  Objections  to  my  going  on  a  mission.  —  I  am  too 
old ;  being  in  my  thirty-eighth  year  my  habits  are 
too  much  confirmed. 

'^Answer. —  True;  I  feel  its  force.  But  it  is  in 
part  removed  by  the  attainments  in  languages  that  I 
have  already  made,  and  in  part  by  the  strong  love  I 
have  for  linguistic  study. 

"  I  am  too  nervous  a  man ;  too  quick  to  feel;  too 
easily  elated  or  cast  down ;  and,  in  a  word,  have 
altogether  too  little  self-control. 

"  Ansiver.  —  A  strong .  objection.  And  yet  I  am 
inclined  to  think  that  it  as  strong  an  objection  to 
my  being  a  minister  of  the  gospel  at  home.  Indeed, 
without  self-control  how  can  a  man  preach  the  gos- 
pel, as  a  regular  employment,  anywhere  ?  I  cannot 
but  think  I  have  made  some  conquests  over  myself, 
in  this  respect,  and  I  trust  that  I  may  make  many 
more.  T  hope  it  is  not  a  solid  objection,,  but  ac- 
knowledge I  greatly  fear  its  w^eight. 

"  My  health  is  too  feeble. 

"  Ansiver.  —  This,  at  present,  is  an  objection  in  my 
own  mind  of  great  force,  and  sometimes  I  am:  afraid 
it  is  an  insuperable  one.  Indeed,  I  have  had  many 
fears  that  I  should  not  long  be  able  even  to  perform  the 
duties  of  a  pastor.  But  my  health  has,  in  general,  been 
so  good,  that  with  caution,  I  have  got  along  amid 
much  hard  study ;  and  the  poorness  of  my  healthy  at 
the  present  time,  is,  so  far  as  I  can  discover,  the 
result  of  a  long  series  of  severe  labors  rather  than  of 
any  organic  disease.  Physicians  tell  me  that  I  have- 
overworked  myself,  and  only  need  repose. 
26 


S08  MEMOIR     OP 

"  I  am  ambitious,  and  rather  influenced  by  a  love 
of  new  enterprises,  than  by  any  devotion  to  the 
cause  of  missions. 

"  Answer.  —  T  fear  this  objection  has  too  much 
foundation.  It  makes  me  hesitate.  It  will  rob  me 
of  all  my  reward,  if  it  be  true. 

"  I  am  unfit  to  go  on  a  mission,  inasmuch  as  I 
have  been  disappointed  at  home,  and  am  unable  to 
content  myself  in  such  fields,  as  God  opens  for  me, 
in  the  churches  of  our  own  land. 

"  Ansiver.  —  My  prospects  are  bright  enough  for 
usefulness  in  our  own  country.  I  have  no  special 
difficulty  on  this  score.  Disappointments  I  have 
indeed  suffered ;  and  yet,  I  trust,  only  such  as  make 
me  more  and  more  desirous  of  being  swallowed  up 
in  the  service  of  Christ.  K  it  shall  be  thought  best 
for  me  to  labor  at  home,  I  have  nothing  to  object.  I 
wish  always  to  bear  in  mind  the  injunction  of  the 
Saviour  to  Peter,  '  Feed  my  lambs,  feed  my  sheep,' 
and  would  never  forget  that  the  crown  of  glory  is  to 
be  obtained,  not  by  grasping  after  great  things,  as 
they  are  usually  esteemed,  but  by  faithfulness  and 
difigence,  in  the  place  assigned  us.  Wherever  I 
may  be,  and  in  whatever  engaged,  I  hope  that*  for 
me  to  live  will  ever  be  Christ.  I  am  convinced  that 
there  is  nothing  else,  comparatively  speaking,  worth 
a  thought. 

"  But  it  may  be  alleged  that  I  have  prejudices 
against  the  American  Board,  for  I  have  freely  said  as 
much,  to  individual  brethren,  in  private. 

"  Answer.  —  I  have  had  such  prejudices,  and  pos- 
sibly should  even  now  wish  some  things  a  little  dif- 
ferent from  what  they  are.     Admitting  that  I  haye 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  303 

them,  I  must  say  I  deeply  feel  that  the  preaching  of 
the  gospel  to  the  heathen  is  a  duty  which  far  out- 
weighs them  all.  Besides,  the  more  I  have  seen  of 
the  American  Board,  the  more  my  confidence  in  it 
has  been  increased ;  and  I  certainly  now  feel  more 
satisfied  in  regard  to  its  wisdom  and  Christian 
integrity  than  I  do  with  those  of  any  similar  institu- 
tion. 

"  But  I  wish  to  go  to  Palestine^  and  am  influenced 
by  a  desire  of  antiquarian  research,  rather  than  by  a 
missionary  spirit. 

"  Answer.  —  1  certainly  feel  desirous  of  seeing 
Palestine,  and  should  my  life  be  long  preserved,  I 
hope  yet  to  see  it,  with  the  Arabic  so  much  at  com- 
mand, that  I  might  converse  directly  with  its  inhab- 
itants. I  have,  for  several  years  past,  made  that 
region  and  things  relating  to  it,  a  special  study. 
Should  I  go  there,  I  shall  hope  that  from  time  to 
time,  as  I  may  become  familiar  with  the  manners 
and  customs  of  the  people,  to  be  able,  by  my  inves- 
tigations, and  that,  too,  without  going  out  of  the  line 
of  my  duty,  to  throw  light  upon  various  passages  of 
Scripture.  But  I  trust  that  the  spirit  of  a  mission- 
ary rules  in  me,  and  that  it  would  constitute  the 
moving  power  in  all  my  labors.  Moreover,  if  the 
Board  should  think  best,  I  could  bring  myself,  prob- 
ably, to  go  to  Constanstinople,  Smyrna,  Greece,  or 
some  other  place  near  the  Mediterranean. 

"  I  cannot  easily  endure  noise.  Ever  since  a  child 
I  have  been  very  sensitive  in  this  respect.  It  is 
really  an  element  of  my  character,  or  a  weakness  in 
my  constitution.  Now  in  Palestine  I  must  have 
noise  in  abundance. 


S04  MEMOIR    OF 

"  Ansiver,  —  I  admit  the  objection,  and  yet  I  have 
found  myself  getting  the  better  even  of  this  natural 
sensitiveness.  Probably  I  should  be  no  more  troubled 
by  it  in  Palestiiie,  than  I  am  in  our  own  country. 
On  the  whole,  I  feel  as  though  this  is  an  objection 
of  no  great  account. 

"  But  I  am  greatly  annoyed  by  interruptions,  in 
the  time  of  study.  On  missionary  ground,  such  in- 
terruptions to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  are  altogether 
unavoidable. 

"  Ansiaer.  —  This  trait  is  the  result  solely  of  a 
habit.  Time  and  patience  might  bring  me  into  the 
possession  of  an  opposite  one. 

"  I  am  liable  to  very  great  suffering  from  sea- 
sickness. 

"  Answer.  —  True  ;  I  cannot  ride  inside  of  a  stage, 
nor  even  in  a  chaise  by  night,  without  becoming 
sick.  And  yet,  from  the  fact  that  this  kind  of  sick- 
ness is  never  dangerous,  I  do  not  think  it  worth 
taking  into  the  account. 

"  I  have  a  History  of  the  Pulpit  commenced, 
which  was  undertaken  by  the  advice  of  Dr.  Porter. 
The  work  was  relinquished  into  my  hands  by  a 
scholar  who  had  entered  upon  it,  but  owing  to  a 
pressure  of  other  engagements,  found  himself  unable 
to  proceed.  For  eighteen  months  I  persevered  in 
the  work,  amidst  poverty  and  various  discouragem  ents. 
Advised  by  Dr.  Skinner  and  others,  I  early  declined 
one  very  eligible  call,  in  order  to  finish  it;  and  I  have 
since  then  negatived  several  for  the  same  purpose. 
If  1  remain  in  this  country  I  may  yet  complete  it,  at 
least  so  far  as  to  render  it  useful  to  some  extent. 

'^Answer.  —  Perhaps  in  undertaking  this  work,  I 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  305 

did  not  sufficiently  consult  the  will  of  God.  At 
least,  he  has  for  the  present,  hedged  up  my  way  in 
regard  to  it.  I  am  not  certain  but  as  a  matter  of 
self-denial,  he  requires  me  to  drop  it.  The  mission- 
ary field  is  white  for  harvest.  If  God  require  it,  I 
can  relinquish  the  History  forever. 

"  I  am  exceedingly  attached  to  literary  pursuits. 
The  most  of  my  life,  or  at  least,  by  far  the  better 
part  of  it,  has  been  spent  among  books. 

"  Ansiaer.  —  True ;  perhaps  even  to  idolatry ;  hence 
so  much  more  may  there  be  reason  for  my  feeding 
afraid  of  such  pursuits.  As  a  Christian  it  may  be 
my  duty  to  break  away  from  them,  except  as  they 
can  be  turned  to  immediate  account  in  the  field  of 
labor  to  which  God  may  call  me. 

"  My  library  is  large  and  unwieldy. 

"  Answer.  —  Not  an  objection,  except  in  respect  to 
its  incumbrance,  which  for  ought  I  see  must  be  sub? 
mitted  to.  It  would  all  be  needed  in  Palestine.  I 
should  like  to  add  more  to  my  library,  even  for  mis- 
sionary purposes,  especially  '  Rees^  rather  than  take 
any  thing  away. 

"  I  have  thus  enumerated  what  may  be  regarded 
the  chief  objections  to  my  becoming  a  missionary. 
I  stand  ready,  I  think,  to  obey  the  Saviour's  call.  If  he 
wishes  me  in  a  foreign  field  I  am  anxious  to  go.  But 
does  he  bid  me  go  ?  Is  it  not  rather  my  duty  to  stay 
at  home  ?  To  me  it  seems  difficult  satisfactorily  to 
determine  what  my  duty  is.  I  shrink  from  assuming 
the  responsibility  of  a  decision.  I  see  clearly  that  there 
are  strong  reasons  against  my  going  on  a  mission. 
I  fear  I  should  not  be  able,  at  all  times,  to  manifest 
that  lamb-like  and  forbearing  disposition,  and  that 
26* 


306  MEMOIR    OF 

gentleness,  which  are  needful  for  all  ministers,  but 
which  are  absolutely  indispensable  to  the  success  of 
a  missionary  among  the  heathen ;  particularly  in 
Palestine  and  the  regions  of  the  Mediterranean, 
where  there  now  is,  and  where  for  centuries  there 
has  been  so  much  of  the  form  of  godliness,  without 
its  power.  Upon  the  whole,  I  imagine  that  in  the 
view  of  all  candid  men  the  weight  of  argument 
against  me  will  preponderate. 

"  I  say  again,  and  here  I  must  leave  the  subject, 
that  if  the  gentlemen  of  the  missionary  rooms, 
should  think  I  am  called  to  go,  especially  to  the  re- 
gion named,  I  should  feel  quite  certain  that  it  is  my 
duty  to  go. 

"  Thus  much  I  regard  myself  bound  to  say.  I  have 
given  myself  away  to  the  service  of  the  kingdom 
of  heaven ;  and  wherever  I  may  be  I  hope  always  to 
be  found  engaged,  heart  and  hand,  in  the  glorious 
cause  of  the  Redeemer;  and  if  he  wants  me,  as  a 
missionary,  I  feel  that  I  should  at  once  say,  amen,  to 
his  holy  will. 

"  I  will  also  add,  that  should  it  be  thought  advisa- 
ble for  me  to  go,  I  will  consider  myself,  provided  I 
am  sent  to  Palestine,  under  obligations  to  refund  to 
the  Board  whatever  expense  I  may  occasion  it, 
in  case  my  health  should  seem  to  require  a  return 
before  the  expiration  of  two  years. 

"  I  forward  these  thoughts  to  you,  gentlemen,  not 
to  have  them  published  abroad,  for  I  prefer  that  they 
be  kept  secret,  especially  if  I  remain  at  home ;  but 
that  you  may  see  how  I  stand  in  relation  to  the  mis- 
sionary enterprise. 

"  Should  you  decide  on  this  subject  in  the  affirma- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  307 

tive,  it  is  desirable  that  I  should  soon  be  informed. 
But  if  you  arrive  at  a  negative  decision,  let  this  com- 
munication, as  I  have  above  hinted,  remain  alto- 
gether inter  nos.  With  prayers  for  the  success  of  the 
cause  in  which  you  are  engaged,  I  remain  yours, 
etc. 

"August  7,  1839." 

Journal.     "  Manchester,   Aug.   11.  —  Sweet   com- 
munion with  God  in  prayer,  yet  am  troubled  with 
something  that  borders  on  misanthropy.     Feel,  es- 
pecially, during  my  dyspeptic  moments  very  morose, 
though  I  would  fain  possess  the  meekness  and  gen- 
tleness of  the  gospel.     On  the  whole  am  gratified 
that  I  have  sent  my  letter  to  the  Board.     14.  —  Ani- 
mating views  of  God's   glory  this  morning.     I  am, 
however,  only  a  child  in  respect  to   divine  things. 
Should  I  receive   as  a  reply   from   Boston,  '  Go  to 
Palestine,'  my  heart  would  leap  with  joy ;  yet  I  think 
I  can  make  myself  happy  here^  provided  God  retain 
me  in  this  place.     Should  he  keep  me  wandering 
over  the  world,  it  will,  indeed,  try  me,  but  I  hope, 
nevertheless,  to  bow  cordially  to  his  will.     15.  —  A 
tendency  to  irritation  is  the  greatest  difficulty  with 
which  I  have  to  contend  at  present.     Sometimes  I 
almost  despair  of  ever  obtaining  a  victory  over  my- 
self in  this  respect.     This  more  than  any  thing  else 
makes  me  afraid  of  becoming  a  pastor.     My  only 
hiope  is  in  the  grace  of  God.     It  is  alarming  to  find 
the  blood  of  anger  and  ill  temper  so  easily  gushing 
up  into  one's  face.     The  adversary  watches  for  my 
halting.     I  am  afraid  of  his  wiles.     The   Lord  pre- 
serve me  from  his  snares.     Just  as  I  was  leaving  this 


308  MEMOIR    OF 

morning  my  woody  retreat,  two  eagles  flew  over  my 
head.  When  directly  above  me  one  of  them  uttered 
a  sound  which  attracted  my  attention.  Here  is  the 
Roman  omen  of  victory  —  so  difficult  is  it  to  eradi- 
cate superstition  and  heathenism  from  our  minds. 
16.  —  Yesterday  I  received  a  call  to  settle  as  pastor 
in  Manchester.  Know  not  what  the  Lord  may  have 
in  store  for  me,  but  1  enjoyed  some  sweet  spiritual 
exercises  during  a  half  hour  of  private  devotion  this 


Soon  after  receiving  the  call  just  mentioned,  an 
answer  was  returned  to  the  communication  which  he 
had  sent  to  the  Board.  It  seemed  to  the  Executive 
Committee,  in  view  of  all  the  circumstances  of  his 
case,  that  it  was  rather  his  duty  to  consecrate  him- 
self to  domestic  service  in  the  vineyard  of  Christ. 
Especially  did  the  state  of  his  health  render  it  in 
their  opinion  unadvisable  for  him  to  go  on  a  foreign 
mission. 

On  the  18th  of  August  he  writes :  "  I  am  this  day 
thirty-eight  years  of  age.  The  last  year  has  been 
one  of  worldly  trials,  but  also  I  hope  one  of  spiritual 
attainments  and  growth  in  grace.  Yesterday  I  ac- 
cepted the  call  to  settle  in  Manchester." 

August  21  he  started  on  a  southerly  tour.  On  the 
26th,  he  was  with  his  brother  R.,  then  a  student  in  the 
Theological  Seminary,  Princeton,  New  Jersey.  The 
following  entry  in  his  journal  refers  to  that  visit  at  P. 
"  Towards  night  I  walked  out  to  the  graveyard 
where  are  interred  the  college  presidents,  Edwards, 
Burr,  Finley,  Davies,  etc.  They  are  side  by  side. 
At  the  feet  of  the  two  former  lies   Colonel  Burr, 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  309 

without  a  monument.  I  lingered  and  lingered,  and 
meditated  in  this  place  of  the  dead.  My  thoughts 
went  out  to  Brainerd's  grave  in  Northampton,  and  to 
the  trees  which  Edwards  set  out  there,  and  I  tried  to 
dedicate  myself  anew  to  God.  During  the  night  a 
violent  storm  arose,  the  thunders  rolled  and  the 
lightnings  flashed.  God  is  great,  God  is  good ;  trust 
in  him ;  were  my  feelings. 

"  Philadelphia,  Sept.  2.  —  Some  spiritual  comfort 
yesterday.  Preached  for  brother  Brainerd  in  the 
afternoon,  and  spoke  for  him  also  in  the  evening." 

Having  visited  Baltimore  and  Washington,  he 
passed  a  Sabbath  in  Alexandria.  In  connection 
with  noticing  the  attention  of  friends  in  A.  he  speaks 
of  the  religious  services  there :  "  I  arose  weak,  but 
prepared  for  the  exercises  of  the  day,  and  was  carried 
happily  through  them.  I  preached  in  the  morning 
from  John  iii.  16,  on  the  love  of  God.  In  the  after- 
noon I  attended  a  prayer-meeting  at  four.  In  the 
evening  I  preached  from  Luke  xiii.  1-5,  endeavoring 
to  show  the  necessity  of  repentance,  in  order  to  our 
entering  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  and  the  danger 
there  is  of  impenitent  sinners  sinking  down  to  hell. 
The  audience  was  thin,  —  probably  more  so  than  in 
general,  from  the  fact  that  the  society  are  engaged 
in  erecting  a  new  meeting-house,  and  are  obliged, 
for  the  present,  to  worship  where  they  can.  The 
attention,  however,  which  I  received  from  my  hearers, 
amply  compensated  for  the  lack  of  numbers.  I  took 
notice,  in  particular,  of  a  somewhat  aged  black  man 
who  sat  in  the  further  part  of  the  hall  with  his  eyes 
on  me,  as  if  he  were  devouring  every  word.  I  extem- 
porized and  enjoyed  myself  in  so  doing.     During  the 


310  MEMOIR    OF 

day  I  received  some  gleams  of  light  and  love,  from 
the  divine  countenance.  Yet  I  must  say  that  I 
could  not  long  forget  there  were  slave-holders  before 
me,  —  those  who  were  living,  as  I  believe,  in  open 
violation  of  some  of  the  plainest  principles  of  the 
gospel.  I  thought  of  the  oppressed  African,  as  from 
time  to  time  I  glanced  towards  the  poor,  listen- 
ing colored  man,  and  sought,  by  my  looks,  to  con- 
vey to  him  more  meaning  than  1  dared  to  express 
in  my  words.  Nor  can  I  forbear  saying  that  I  dis- 
covered many  indications  about  the  city  during  the 
day,  of  wickedness,  and  the  desecration  of  the  Sab- 
bath. It  was  especially  painful  to  hear  the  whistle 
and  bell  of  the  steamboat  which  constantly  plies 
between  this  place  and  Washington.  How  can 
these  things  be  allowed  without  incurring  the  sore 
displeasure  of  Jehovah  ?  " 

On  the  succeeding  Monday  he  went  to  Mount 
Vernon.  His  visit  is  thus  described :  "  As  I  rode 
toward  the  fence,  two  little  negro  children  who  had 
been  playing  gladsomely  around  in  the  grass,  climbed 
up  over  it  and  scampered  away.  Finding  a  path 
running  along  in  a  southerly  direction,  I  followed  it 
a  little  distance,  when,  coming  across  some  bars  I 
turned  back  again,  and  rode  up  to  the  gate.  A  blind 
old  negro  woman  was  sitting  by  the  side  of  it,  who, 
just  as  I  was  about  to  enter,  said,  '  You  must  leave 
your  horse  here.'  On  my  asking  her  who  she  was,  she 
replied,  '  I  am  placed  here  to  keep  people  from  riding 
in  through  the  gate.'  I  had  no  sooner  fastened  my 
horse  and  entered,  than  I  was  m^t  by  the  gardener, 
a  negro  of  a  very  ill  aspect,  who  refused  to  admit 
me  to  view  the  premises,  alleging  that  Mrs.  Wash- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  311 

ington  was  absent,  and  that  on  leaving  she  had  given 
orders  of  prohibition.  Luckily  for  me,  Professor  J. 
Packard,  who  by  marriage  is  connected  with  Mrs. 
W.,  had  told  me  that  he  had  recently  spent  a  week 
at  Mount  Vernon,  and  at  the  same  time  offered  to 
give  me  a  letter  of  introduction  to  Mrs.  W.,  only, 
said  he,  she  is  now  not  at  home ;  nor,  added  he,  will 
it  be  necessary,  as  you  will  gain  access  to  what  you 
wish  to  visit,  just  as  well  without  it,  through  the 
servants.  I  mentioned  this  to  the  gardener,  and  told 
him  that  nothing  had  prevented  me  from  taking  a 
letter  except  the  assurance  from  Professor  P.  himself 
that  it  would  be  unnecessary.  The  gardener,  after 
a  little  blustering,  referred  me  to  a  young  black  man, 
whose  name  was  Washington,  adding,  at  the  same 
time,  that  he  was  well  acquainted  with  Professor  P., 
his  mistress'  cousin ;  and  then,  said  he,  '  Are  you  of 
the  same  society  with  Professor  P.  ?  it  would  be  cruel 
to  exclude  you  if  you  are.'  No,  I  replied,  but  we  are 
old  acquaintances  and  brother  clergymen.  Having 
introduced  me  as  a  friend  of  Professor  P.  to  the 
young  negro  above  name(i,  and  having  obtained 
liberty  for  me  to  be  admitted,  he  called  an  old  ne- 
gress,  and  claiming  for  me  the  privilege  of  the  usual 
survey,  requested  her  to  show  me  the  path  to  the 
tomb.  This  she  did,  and  then,  much  to  my  gratifi- 
cation, left  me  to  find  it  and  indulge  in  my  medita- 
tions alone.  It  was  a  delightful  time  for  the  pur- 
pose. The  day  itself  was  all  serenity,  the  sky  being 
clear  and  blue,  deeply  blue,  over  my  head.  I  walked 
along  south  of  the  houses  down  a  lane.  The  Poto- 
mac winds  charmingly  around  in  front  of  the  prem- 
ises, and  exhibits  quite  a  majestic  appearance.     Na- 


312  MEMOIR    OF 

ture,  indeed,  had  done  enough,  but  every  thing  of 
art,  on  which  I  fixed  my  eyes,  was  dilapidated  and 
decaying.  Having  reached  the  end  of  the  lane,  and 
having  turned  towards  the  right,  that  is,  with  my 
back  upon  the  Potomac,  I  saw  the  new  brick  tomb 
at  a  short  distance  before  me.  At  about  a  quarter 
to  eleven  I  reached  it,  and  placing  myself  in  front, 
stood  looking  in  through  the  two  strong  iron  grates 
that  guard  its  entrance,  upon  the  sarcophagi  of 
Washington  and  his  wife ;  the  position  of  the 
former  being  on  my  right  hand,  and  that  of  the 
latter  on  the  left.  I  surrendered  myself  entirely  to 
the  occasion,  and  permitted  my  thoughts  to  bubble 
up  as  they  would,  and  my  feelings  to  have  a  full 
flow.  His  deeds ;  the  Braddock  affair ;  his  first 
visit  to  Cambridge  after  he  w^as  appointed  com- 
mander ;  his  crossing  the  Delaware ;  his  clasping 
his  neck  on  a  certain  occasion  and  saying,  '  it  does 
not  feel  as  though  it  were  made  for  a  halter;' 
the  Monmouth  battle;  his  intercourse  with  Lafay- 
ette, whom  I  had  seen  some  years  before ;  his  last 
moments ;  the  remarks  of  Napoleon  respecting  him, 
*  there  is  a  great  man ; '  the  halo  of  future  ages 
constantly  gathering  and  enlarging  around  him  ;  the 
visits  which  would  be  paid  to  this  very  inclosure  out 
of  deep  reverence  for  his  memory,  by  millions  yet 
unborn  ;  in  short,  every  thing  which  related  to  him, 
from  his  earliest  years  down  to  the  time  in  which  he 
received  his  commission  from  Congress,  (which  I 
had  seen  but  just  before,  precisely  as  it  was  origi- 
nally tendered  to  him)  ;  and  thence  onward  to  his 
death,  and  also  what  ages  yet  to  come  shall  do  to 
honor  him,  gushed  in  upon  me  like  wave  rolling 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  313 

upon  wave.      It  was  one  of  the  most  interesting 
moments  of  my  life.'^  * 

Extracts  from  a  letter  to  IVIrs.  McFadden,  of  Pitts- 
burg, Pennsylvania,  on  the  death  of  her  father.  Rev. 
T.  Alden.  It  was  written  in  September,  1839,  at 
Manchester. 

"  My  dear  Cousin  :  —  Your  letter  was  waiting  for 
me  at  M.  on  my  return.  I  read  it,  and  wept  over  it, 
and  read  it  again.  Yesterday  I  received  a  long  and 
full  letter  from  uncle  Isaiah,  with  additional  particu- 
lars. I  have  been  melted  down  again,  and  I  cannot 
let  the  occasion  pass  without  dropping  a  line  to  you^ 
to  express  my  sympathy  with  yourself  and  all  the 
other  members  of  my  uncle's  family,  in  this  severe 
affliction.  I  see,  my  dear  cousin,  that  earthly  ambi- 
tion is  worthless.  There  is  nothing  deserving  a 
thought,  comparatively,  but  the  love  of  God.  The 
image  of  Christ,  formed  in  our  souls,  is  all  that  we 
need.  When  this  is  secured  we  shall^be  able  at  all 
tir^jes  to  say,  ^  For  me  to  live  is  Christ.^  '  In  all  my 
earthly  course,  I  have  only  to  serve  my  Redeemer, 
to  exhibit  his  kindness,  gentleness  of  demeanor,  and 
his  forgiving  spirit.  To  die  will  be  gain.  I  shall  be 
with  that  Saviour  whom  I  love  supremely.  I  shall 
be  in  a  kind  and  an  affectionate  family,  never  more 
to  be  separated  from  it.  My  soul  shall  burn  and 
glow  with  the  flames  of  ceaseless  devotion  and  love.' 
Your  letter  was  the  best  cordial  I  could  have,  after 
being  forced  to  submit  to  a  severe  disappointment 
in  not  visiting  Pittsburg  and  Meadville.  It  seemed 
to  introduce  me  to  the  chamber  where  your  dear 
father  died,  quite  on  the  verge  of  heaven." 
27 


314  MEMOIR    OF 

The  following  was  written  some  months  later 
than  the  foregoing,  but  is  historically  in  place  here. 

"  Dear  Uncle  Isaiah  :  —  You  will  herewith,  if  the 
mail  fail  not,  receive  a  copy  of  the  Boston  Recorder, 
in  which  I  have  published  some  account  of  the  last 
moments  of  my  uncle  T.  You  will  also  find  in  the 
paper  a  poetic  effusion  relating  to  him.  1  know  not 
the  author  of  it.  I  also  send  a  copy  of  the  paper 
for  uncle  Oliver,  directing  it  to  your  care,  as  I  do  not 
remember  his  place  of  residence.  How  I  should 
love  to  step  in  and  chat  with  you  and  your  family 
awhile ;  also  make  a  call  on  some  Meadville  friends. 
I  may  yet  see  you ;  if  not,  may  we  meet  in  heaven. 
Your  letters  come  safe.  Thanks  to  you  for  them. 
Yours  truly.     Farewell." 

Mr.  T.  was  installed  pastor  of  the  Congregational 
Church  in  Manchester,  Massachusetts,  Sept.  18, 
1839.  His  examination  occurred  in  the  morning, 
and  the  exercises  of  the  installation  in  the  afternoon. 
The  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Dr.  Storrs,  of 
Braintree.  Rev.  Mr.  Nickels,  of  Gloucester,  offered 
the  installing  prayer.  The  charge  to  the  pastor  was 
given  by  Rev.  Dr.  Emerson,  of  Salem.  The  fellow- 
ship of  the  churches  was  presented  by  his  brother 
T.,  of  SlatersviUe,  Rhode  Island.  Rev.  S.  M.  Wor- 
cester, of  Salem,  addressed  the  people. 

At  his  examination  he  expressed  himself  with 
great  modesty,  and  especially  when  requested  to 
state  the  grounds  of  his  Christian  hope.  The  writer 
can  never  forget  his  appearance  as  they  stood  to- 
gether in  that  lofty  pulpit.     The  scene  was  one  of 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  315 

peculiar  tenderness,  and  naturally  brought  out  some 
of  the  most  touching  incidents  connected  with  their 
early  life. 

It  need  not  be  concealed  that  considerable  anxiety 
was  felt  by  brethren  in  the  ministry  and  others,  in 
respect  to  the  future  of  the  new  shepherd  and  his 
flock.  It  was  thought,  that  perhaps  one  who  had  so 
long  been  immured  in  a  student's  cell,  could  not 
easily  adapt  himself  to  the  every  day  duties  of  the 
pastoral  relation.  Besides,  it  was  questionable 
whether  at  his  stage  of  life,  that  style  of  sermoniz- 
ing would  be  acquired  which  is  essential  for  a  parish 
preacher,  yet  which  is  never  attained  in  a  Theolog- 
ical Seminary.  One  of  the  clergymen  on  the  Coun- 
cil expressed  to  the  writer  great  solicitude  lest  the 
people  in  M.  should  fail  to  receive  instruction  clothed 
in  that  simplicity  of  diction  which  ought  to  charac- 
terize pulpit  performances,  —  owing  to  a  super- 
abundance of  allegorical  illustrations. 

Furthermore,  it  may  be  observed,  that  Mr.  T.  did 
not  enter  upon  his  pastoral  life  with  that  enthusiasm 
which  usually  characterizes  the  young  man,  who  is 
ordained  and  set>  over  a  people  on  the  completion  of 
his  preparatory  studies.  Indeed,  a  word  dropped 
from  his  lips  indicating  a  state  of  mind  inclined  to 
undervalue  the  honor  which  had  been  conferred  upon 
him  in  constituting  him  an  under  shepherd  in  the 
fold  of  Christ.  Still,  there  is  no  doubt  that  he  took 
the  vows  of  God  upon  him  without  mental  reserva- 
tion. He  solemnly  gave  himself  to  the  Lord  in  the 
work  of  the  ministry,  and  intended  to  apply  himself 
unceasingly  to  the  upbuilding  of  Zion. 


CHAPTER   IX. 

PASTORAL    LIFE    FROM    HIS    INSTALLATION,  SEPTEMBER, 
1839,  TO    NOVEMBER,  1843. 

We  have  followed  the  subject  of  this  memoir 
from  his  infancy  through  the  varied  scenes '  of  his 
life  till  we  have  seen  him  settled  in  the  ministry 
over  a  Congregational  church  in  a  New  England 
village.  Manchester,  lying  directly  on  the  sea-coast, 
furnishes  many  a  delightful  prospect  of  the  Atlantic 
waters.  There  is  very  much  in  the  natural  scenery 
of  the  place  suited  to  inspire  a  mind  like  Mr.  Taylor's, 
and  probably  no  one  ever  enjoyed  it  more  than  him- 
self. Walks  retired  and  beautiful  are  easily  found. 
And  what  in  nature  can  be  more  sublime  than  a 
view  from  some  of  those  rocky  elevations,  of  the  sun 
rising  out  of  the  ocean  ? 

From  this  time  we  are  to  contemplate  him  in  his 
relation  as  pastor.  Alluding,  on  the  day  following 
his  installation,  to  the  scenes  of  the  preceding,  he 
says  :  "  I  have  great  fear  lest  my  ministry  prove  a 
failure.  On  the  whole,  however,  I  have  enjoyed  a 
very  comfortable  frame  of  mind,  much  of  the  time ; 
also  fervor  and  delight  this  forenoon  in  prayer." 

September  21  he  remarks  that  it  is  worthy  of 
observation,  how  soothing  God  has  in  every  respect 
made  his  introduction  to  M.,  but  adds,  "  I  am  afraid 


MEMOIR    OF    REV.    0.    A.    TAYLOR.  317 

of  my  liability  to  excitement.  It  was  a  providence 
meriting  particular  notice,  that  Matt.  v.  21,  22, 
should  have  fallen  under  my  attention  the  first  night 
after  my  installation.  Some  sense  of  God's  pres- 
ence, and  a  degree  of  sweetness  in  prayer  this 
morning.  Already  one  of  my  parishioners  has  gone 
to  the  bar  of  God. 

"  Oct.  2.  —  I  would  apply  myself  to  the  labors 
before  me  with  diligence.  My  feelings  are  more 
and  more  interested  in  my  sacred  work." 

Soon  after  Mr.  T.'s  settlement  at  M.,  a  venerable 
female  member  of  his  church  wrote  as  follows  to  his 
eldest  brother. 

"  It  is  natural  to  suppose  your  first  inquiry  of  me 
will  be,  what  the  state  of  feeling  is  toward  your  dear 
brother  ?  T  am  unspeakably  happy  to  tell  you,  that 
so  far  as  I  can  judge,  from  every  thing  of  truth 
which  I  possess,  he  is  growing  in  the  warm  affec- 
tions of  the  church  and  society,  and  has  been  ever 
since  he  came  to  Manchester;  and  I  cannot  but 
think  from  his  untiring  zeal  and  activity,  and  from 
his  cheerful  smiles  when  surrounded  by  his  listening 
flock,  that  the  love  is  mutual ;  and  could  you  only 
look  into  our  happy,  pleasant  conference  room,  you 
would  not  doubt  it  for  a  moment.  The  sheep  and 
the  lambs  you  would  behold  feeding  around  him. 
His  dear  people  you  would  see  hanging  upon  his 
lips,  and  in  heart  saying  amen  to  every  sentence 
which  he  utters ;  and,  believe  me,  there  never,  I  think, 
could  be  a  pastor  who  improves  all  his  time  and 
talents  more  devotedly  for  the  edification  of  his 
flock,  than  does  your  beloved  brother.  It  is  now 
27* 


318  MEMOIR    OF 

forty-one  years  since  I  become  a  member  of  the 
church  of  Jesus  Christ  in  this  place.  During  that 
time,  I  have  seen  four  different  watchmen  set  upon 
the  walls  of  Zion  here.  But  I  never  knew  one 
before  in  whom  the  church  and  people  of  all  charac- 
ters were  so  united.  Like  God's  ancient  Israel,  we 
seem  to  be  marching  on  at  present  unmolested ;  not 
a  dog  is  suffered  to  move  his  tongue  to  disturb  our 
onward  career;  yet  it  is  not  because  there  is  nothing 
done  to  annoy  Satan's  kingdom,  but  for  the  present 
the  lions  are  chained,  so  that  the  pilgrims  pass  on 
safely." 

Journal.  "  Oct.  3.  —  Spent  last  night  at  Professor 
Emerson's,  Andover.  Sweet  conversation  with  him 
on  various  subjects.  Thanks  to  God  for  the  cruses 
of  water  and  the  cakes  of  bread  that  he  sends  me 
from  time  to  time  in  the  dreary  desert  of  this  world. 
Went  into  my  old  room  at  A. ;  sat  down  in  the 
rocking-chair  for  the  last  time ;  wept,  and  prayed 
that  all  the  sins  which  I  had  committed  during  my 
residence  in  that  room,  from  its  commencement  in 
January,  1830,  down  to  my  recent  departure,  might 
be  forgiven.  They  doubtless  were  many.  Now  the 
history  of  that  period  is  closed  for  the  judgment 
day.  I  prayed  and  wept,  and  prayed  again  ;  started, 
lingered,  turned,  and  then  went  back.  Farewell, 
farewell.  O,  God  is  good.  I  give  myself  away  to 
him  forever  and  ever.  9.  —  I  begin  to  be  settled 
down.  The  tongue  and  the  temper  must  be  con- 
trolled. 16.  —  Some  perplexities.  Am  deprived  of 
praying  time,  or  greatly  interrupted  in  it.  The  Lord 
help    me.     27.  — A   lady   of  my   charge    died   last 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  319 

night.  Saw  her  not  long  before,  and  once  pre- 
viously. Feel  grieved,  however,  that  I  have,  partly 
through  accident  and  partly  through  inadvertence, 
left  her,  like  a  forsaken  lamb  of  the  flock,  so  much 
alone.  The  Lord  forgive  me,  and  make  me  more 
faithful  henceforth." 

Soon  after  Mr.  T.'s  settlement,  the  question  of 
admitting  a  slave-holder  to  the  church  became  a 
practical  one  with  him.  A  gentleman  in  the  parish 
was  in  part  the  owner  of  a  slave,  was  among  the 
number  of  recent  converts,  and  offered  himself  for 
church  fellowship.  The  following  letter  has  refer- 
ence, as  will  be  seen,  to  that  question.  It  was  ad- 
dressed to  the  individual. 

"Manchester,  Oct.  16,  1839. 

"Dear  Sir: — The  point  at  which  we  left  off 
last  evening,  as  I  remember,  was  this :  You  own  a 
slave.  You  are  determined,  however,  to  give  him 
his  liberty,  whenever  he  has  earned  back  for  you  the 
money  that  you  have  paid  for  him. 

"  In  respect  to  your  present  position,  the  following 
thoughts  occur  to  me. 

"  First.  Man,  the  image  of  God,  cannot  be  bought 
and  sold.  He  belongs  to  himself  and  his  Maker 
alone,  and  should  always  be  trained  as  such,  by  his 
parents  or  guardians. 

"  Secondly.  This  black  man  of  yours,  either  in  his 
own  person,  or  in  that  of  some  of  his  forefathers, 
has  been  stolen  from  Africa  and  sold  here  into 
slavery.  Have  you  not,  then,  in  purchasing  him  set 
at  nought  one  of  the  first  principles  of  the  laws  of 
God's  moral  government  ? 


320  MEMOIR    OF 

"  Thirdly.  In  giving  him  liberty  noiv^  you  will, 
indeed,  lose  quite  a  large  sum  of  money,  and  in  this 
respect  you  are  truly  unfortunate ;  for,  what  you  did 
in  purchasing  him  was  done  ignorantly,  without  a 
'view  of  all  the  circumstances  of  the  case.  But  with 
your  present  light  will  you  not,  if  you  retain  him 
until  he  has  earned  you  w^hat  he  cost  you,  be  guilty 
of  making  use  of  stolen  property?  I  can  see  no 
flaw  in  this  reasoning,  and  it  seems,  as  a  Christian, 
you  are  required  to  set  this  man  at  liberty  before 
you  join  the  church  of  Christ.  If  the  premises  or 
inference  be  anywhere  incorrect,  please  to  show  it. 

"  Excuse  me,  dear  Sir,  for  again  troubling  you  on 
this  subject.  It  is  truth  alone  that  I  seek ;  that  truth, 
which  in  its  bearings,  extends  through  eternity.  I 
am  yours  truly." 

It  should  be  stated  that  this  matter  was  so  ad- 
justed that  the  gentleman  was  received  into  the 
church  without  the  pastor's  sacrificing  any  of  his 
own  convictions  of  duty  in  regard  to  it. 

"Manchester,  Massachusetts,  Oct.  28,  1839. 

"  To  Professor :  —  I  congratulate  you,  my 

dear  sir,  on  your  accession  to  the  Professorial  chair 

of in .     I  was  asked  to  give  my  consent 

to  be  chosen  to  fill  the  same  place.     I  gave  it,  but 

.     I  have  loved  the  studies  of  your  department. 

I  am  now  in  heart  devoted  to  them.  At  times  I 
burn  to  be  wrapped  up  in  them.  I  have  too,  a  man- 
uscript  by  me,  on  which  I  have  labored  eighteen 
months  —  but  the  time  with  me  for  these  sweet 
studies  is  now  gone.     My  plans  of  literary  labor  are 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  321 

all  brought  to  an  end.  My  Arabic  Dictionaries; 
the  Koran ;  De  Sacy ;  my  Klopstock  and  Reinhard : 
farewell -to  you  all.  I  shall  converse  with  you  at  my 
leisure  no  more.  I  shall  only  be  able  to  pay  you  a 
passing  visit,  as  by  stealth. 

"  Bitter,  my  dear  brother,  has  been  the  cup.  Some 
of  my  hairs  have  turned  gray,  while  I  have  been 
drinking  it.  But  what  do  T  say?  The  Lord  has 
done  it.  I  deserved  the  chastisement,  and  calmly 
will  I  receive  it.  I  have  another  field  opened  before 
me,  and  there  are  kind  hearts  and  an  abundance  of 
work  here.  I  love  the  ministerial  office.  It  takes 
hold  on  eternity.  If  God  give  me  strength,  I  shall 
love  it  more.  Troubled,  indeed,  I  am,  from  time  to 
time,  with  ill  health.  Bronchitis  hovers  around  me. 
But  if  the  Lord  will  my  prostration,  I  shall  bow 
without  a  murmuring  word.  If  he  has  any  thing 
for  me  yet  to  do,  I  will  do  it ;  if  not,  his  pleasure  be 
done.  I  should  like,  indeed,  a  few  gems  of  immor- 
tal souls  in  my  crown,  and  to  shine  at  least  as  one 
of  the  obscurer  stars,  among  those  who  turn  many 
to  righteousness.  I  loved  also  the  missionary  field, 
and  had  thought  to  enter  it,  but  have  been  held 
back.  I  am  a  little  child,  and.  bow  as  such  to  the 
divine  will.  My  Library  cheers  me,  even  when  I 
am  busy.  Sometimes,  however,  it  brings  back  old 
and  bitter  remembrances.     But, 


God  cloth  not  need 


Either  man's  work  or  his  own  gifts ;  who  best 
Bear  his  mild  yoke,  they  serve  him  best ;  his  state 
Is  kingly  ;  thousands  at  his  bidding  speed, 
And  part  o'er  land  and  ocean  without  rest. 
They  also  serve,  who  only  stand  and  wait/ 


322  MEMOIR    OF* 

"  Think  not,  my  dear  brother,  that  I  have  hard 
thoughts  of  you,  or  that  I  envy  you  on  account  of 
your  success.  I  do  neither,  but  heartily  congratulate 
you;  praying  that  the  best  of  Heaven's  blessings 
may  rest  upon  you. 

"  Yours,  in  the  fellowship  of  the  gospel." 

The  following  letter,  though  written  several  months 
later  than  the  preceding,  being  addressed  to  the  same 
gentleman,  is  appropriately  introduced  here. 

"My  dear  Sir:  —  I  am  sorry  to  have  disturbed 
your  mind,  although  on  the  whole  it  has,  perhaps, 
proved  beneficial,  by  bringing  you  to  lay  open  the 
more  secret  feelings  of  your  heart  in  reference  to 
myself,  and  thus  confirming  me  in  the  belief  that  I 
had  before  entertained,  and  fondly  cherished,  of  your 
perfect  Christian  honesty  in  the  whole  matter.  Be 
assured  that  I  have  not  one  hard  thought  in  reference 
to  you.  If  it  had  depended  on  me,  whether  you  or 
myself  should  have  the  office,  I  feel  that  I  should 
have  voluntarily  given  you  the  preference.  I  have 
no  doubt  that  your  linguistic  attainments  surpass 
mine.  You  also  probably  have  less  to  suffer  from 
nervous  excitement  than  I  do.  To  be  sure,  I  have 
been  compelled  to  relinquish  many  favorite  studies. 
Sometimes,  indeed,  I  pursue  my  old  classics.  I 
have  been  travelling  on  recently  through  the  twen- 
tieth book  of  Homer.  If  the  Lord  need  me  in 
them,  I  shall  be  called  again  into  those  labor3 ;  if  he 
do  not,  why  should  I  murmur  ?  I  have  found  a 
pearl  of  great  price.  There  is  joy  beyond  the  power 
of  description  to  be  felt  at  the  foot  of  the  cross.     I 


KEV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  323 

am  even  now  in  the  midst  of  a  powerful  work  of 
God's  Spirit.  Sinners  are  either  trembling  around 
me,  in  view  of  the  wrath  of  God,  or  else  rejoicing  in 
hope.  My  hands  are  full ;  my  heart  too,  at  times, 
overflows. 

"  The  Lord  be  with  you  in  your  profession.  Fare- 
well." 

To  his  brother  T.,  Nov.  12,  1839. 

"  Last  Sabbath  week  was  a  solemn  day  here. 
Twenty-one  were  taken  into  the  church ;  many  of 
them  1  baptized,  the  Lord's  Supper  was  celebrated, 
etc.  Things  go  pleasantly  thus  far.  Am  most 
dissatisfied  with  myself,  so  sensitive,  so  quick  to  be 
excited,  so  prone  to  variable  feelings,  so  liable  to 
shake  the  little  vessel  of  blessings,  and  spill  them  on 
the  ground.     Have  not  enough  of  self-denial. 

"  Dear  T.,  what  shall  I  do  as  to  lending  books  ?  I 
have  laid  it  down  as  a  rule,  not  to  lend,  and  must 
adhere  to  it.  I  mean,  however,  by  degrees,  to  collect 
a  little  library  of  books, /or  lending.  I  have  tried  to 
get  into  the  habit  of  having  no  interruption  in  the 
forenoon.  It  has  gone  well  thus  far.  These  sub- 
jects both  came  up,  yesterday,  in  such  a  way  that  I 
was  obliged  to  declare  myself.  I  shall  have  most 
trouble  with  brother  clergymen.  They  pronounce 
me  foolish  and  extravagant  for  purchasing  books,  and 
yet  they  would  borrow  me  to  death.  I  am  afraid  I 
shall  have  to  refuse  them  also.  There  is  not  one  of 
them  who  is  not  as  able  to  buy  books,  as  I  have 
been.  I  have  foregone  the  pleasures  of  many  other 
things  for  this  purpose.  Tell  me,  T.,  what  shall  I  do 
in  this  matter  ?     If  I  begin  to  lend  my  books,  there 


324  MEMOIR    OF 

is  no  end  to  it,  and  soon  they  are  scattered  all  over 
the  world.  And  yet  I  am  afraid  of  niggardliness.  1 
would,  I  think,  adhere  to  the  Saviour's  precepts. 
The  troubles,  indeed,  of  knowledge  and  its  means, 
are  endless.  Ignorance  is  much  more  convenient^  on 
some  accounts. 

"  I  pray  the  Lord  to  guide  me  to  his  everlasting 
kingdom,  and  to  grant  that  I  may  be  swallowed  up 
in  his  glory.  I  love  my  people.  I  love  my  work. 
Ambition  and  the  old  love  of  books  sometimes 
kindle  up  and  rage  and  burn  within  me.  But  I  am 
ashamed  not  to  love  the  work  of  the  Lord.  '  Simon, 
son  of  Jonas,  feed  my  lambs,  feed  my  sheep.'  My 
prominent  feeling  for  some  time  has  been,  that  I  am 
unfit  for  the  ministry.  I  have  not  sufficiently  ele- 
vated views  of  it.     I  am  too  variable  in  emotion. 

"  My  aim,  in  all  my  intercourse  with  my  people,  is 
to  be  governed  by  plain  and  established  rules', — 
rules^  the  reasons  of  which  they  can  see  and  appre- 
ciate." 

To  the  same,  November  25. 

"  Ah  fratrem  crudelissimum !  Tuam  promissio- 
nem  semel  singulis  diebus  quatuordecim,  mihi  scrib- 
ere,  tu  fragisti!  Litteras  hebdomada  proxima  a  te 
non  recepsi.  Te  ne  hujus  pacti  inter  nos  tam  cito 
poenitet?  In  metu  essem  te  morbo  vel  valetudin 
offici  nisi 

"  Hesterno  die,  nostra  concio  Mancumiensis  infre- 
quens  erat ;  mihi  tamen  persanctus  dies,  et  quoque 
populo  meo  quod  ita  spero." 

Thanksgiving  day,  November  29,  he   speaks   of 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  325 

having  felt  covered  with  burning  shame  while  he 
was  in  the  pulpit  on  account  of  his  unfitness  for  the 
duties  of  his  sacred  calling. 

In  a  letter  to  his  mother,  Dec.  24,  he  says  that 
things  have  gone  on  as  pleasantly  with  him  since 
becoming  a  pastor,  as  he  could  expect ;  but  that  he 
is  oppressed  with  a  sense  of  the  great  responsibilities 
resting  on  him,  and  adds  :  "  You,  mother,  have  much 
to  do  by  way  of  praying  for  your  sons  and  their 
parishes.  If  Rufus  be  prospered,  erelong  you  will 
have  him  and  his  people,  and  then  next  Jeremiah  to 
pray  for. 

"  You  know  that  I  am  a  bookmaker,  and  what  sort 
of  a  volume  do  you  suppose  I  have  lately  been  pre- 
paring ?  I  have  arranged  all  the  letters  which  I  ever 
received  from  you  into  one  elegant  morocco  bound 
volume.  I  feel  proud  of  it.  I  have  divided  the  let- 
ters into  parcels,  giving  each  parcel  a  Latin  title.  To 
this  book  I  resort  with  pleasure." 

To  his  brother  T.,  Dec.  1839. 

"  Gaudeo,  Frater  mi:  —  Te  curare  ut  tuis  promise 
sis  esses  fides.  Non  apologias  admiror.  Magn^  ex 
parte,  negligentiaB  confessiones  solum  sunt.  Video 
tamen,  nisi  nebulam  pro  Junone  amplector,  ut  tu 
vitam  otiosam  non  agas.  Ego  quoque  variis  rebus 
occupor.  Multi  inter  nos  advers^  valetudine  labo- 
rant.  Morbis  pulmonariis  et  febribus  nunc  temporis 
scatet  Mancunium.  E  vit^  preesertim  discedunt 
seniores.  Abhinc  dies  tres,  mortua  est  Domina  R 
L.,  et  eheu!  quamvis  diu  ecclesiae  socia,  tamen  sine 
solatiis  Christianis.  Dei  templi  negligens,  et  in  rebus 
terrestribus  convoluta,  pene  semper  vixit.  In  mani- 
28 


326  MEMOIR    OP 

bus  Dei  earn  relinquimus.  '  Quiescat  in  pace,'  us- 
que ad  resurrectionis  lucem.  Insignia  ejus  verba 
postrema  erant.  '  Age  nunc,  filum  seca.'  (Come 
cut  the  thread.)  Mulier  erat,  corporis  temporatione 
nervosa,  facultatem  sentiendi  teniorem  habens, — 
animi  tamen  fortitudinis  specie  praedita." 

Journal.  "  Sabbath  eve,  Jan.  5,  1840.  —  It  is  just 
twenty  years  tonight  since  my  father  died.  I  am 
wnriting  not  far  from  the  same  hour  of  the  night  as 
that  in  which  he  expired.  Have  had  a  pleasant  day. 
The  love  of  God  came  gushing  into  my  soul  at  the 
sacramental  table.     I  felt  that  Christ  was  there." 

In  a  letter  to  his  sister  Martha,  Jan.  6,  he  playfully 
^ays : — 

"  Mother  and  I  are  now  like  the  Jews  and  the 
Moors,  of  whom  Capt.  Riley  speaks,  met  in  a  narrow 
way  on  the  slippery  edge  of  a  rock,  and  neither  of  us 
is  able  to  turn  aside.  As,  however,  I  am  the  young- 
est, I  have  thought  it  best  to  apply  to  you,  to  act  the 
part  of  a  mediator  between  us,  and  so  to  contrive 
things  that  I  may  at.  length  obtain  a  letter  from  her. 
Yesterday,  the  anniversary  of  our  father's  death,  was 
indeed  solemn  to  me.  I  have  thought  of  all  our  fam- 
ily, looking  back  upon  the  past,  and  reading  over 
some  parts  of  my  youthful  journal." 

To  his  brother  T.,  Jan.  1840. 

"  Num  tibi,  frater  mi,  carissime,  de  vaporalis  navi- 
gii  Lexingtonis  conflagratione,  in  freto  Insulae 
Longae,  propre  Bridgportam  Connecticuttensium, 
nunciatum  est  ?     Terribile  dictu,  perierunt  ab  igne 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  827 

vel  submersione  150  vectores,  et  quoque  nautse. 
Evaserunt  solum  tres,  quorum  unus,  navis  prsefectus 
erat.  Inter  perditos,  numerantur  Prof.  Follen  et  uxor. 
Ignis  primo,  ut  audivimus,  e   Sarcinis  Xylinis  eru- 

puit.     Per  terram  judicia  Domini  incedunt! 

Hi  ems  nobiscum  nunc  s8Bva.  Hie  dies  perfrigida 
est.  Semihora  post  septimam  matutinam,  hydrargy- 
rum Thermometri  mei,  ad  gradus  tredecim  sub  ni^ 
hilo,  subsedit.  Habent  ne  se  ita  res  in  Republic^. 
Insulae  Rhodensis  ?  —  Duos  nuperrime  homines  et 
fseminos  matrimonio  junxi. 
"Die  Veneris  scripsi,  Januarii  17mo. 

"  Rursum  tibi  Latind  pauca  scribo.  —  Supra  erravi. 
Non  navigii  vaporalis  perditi  praefectus,  qui  immu- 
nem  ab  ejus  conflagratione  se  eripuit,  sed  ad  banc  na- 
vem  non  pertinens  maritimus  praefectus.  Guberna- 
tor  Lexingtonis  inter  vivos  est. 

"  Nobis  patientes  algoris  nos  ipsos  tenere,  decet. 
Septima  hodierna  matutina  hora  ad  nonos  gradus  sub 
nihilo  stetit  meum  Thermometrum.  Pulchre  in  pre- 
senti,  ejus  radios  ab  oceano  portuque  nostro  congelato 
repercutiens,  per  fenestras  meas,  se  fundit  Phoebus. 
Splendidissime,  bracteolis  glacialibus,  in  formS,  trian- 
gulari,  ornantur  quadrata  vitrea.  Sed  eheul  dum 
scribo,  evanescunt !  Ita  se  habet  vita  et  mundi  volup- 
tas  I     Vale. 

"I)ie  Saturni  scripsi,  Januarii  18mo. 

"  Hodierno  die  ab  Bostonia,  quo  tetendi  missiona- 
rios  in  Palaestinam  navigaturos,  fratrem  praBsertim, 
Whitingium,  olim  ejusdem  collegii  socium  videre, 
redii.      Nominibus,  Thompson,  Wolcott,  Keyes,  et 


328  MEMOIR    OF 

Whitingio,    guadent.      In   nave   nuncupata   Emma 
Isadora    navigant.      Primum    Smyrnam   attingunt. 
mine  navigio  vaporali  ad  Barytum  transvehuntur. 
"  Vale,  Januarii  die  21. 

"  Hesterno  die,  in  eis  partidus  multum  pluviae  e 
coelo  descendit.  Primti  luce,  ante  quidem  auroram, 
per  littora  et  inter  saxa  oceani,  solus  ambulavi. 
Aquarum  montes  in  littora  frangere  remugireque  vi- 
dere  delecto.  Illic  Deum  esse  magnum  disco.  Tem- 
pus  in  mente  revoco,  cum  undis  superbis  dixit :  '  His 
limitibus  vos  circumscribo.'  O  Xerxes  stultissime, 
oceanum  Dei  catenis  aureis  vincire  conari! 

"  Me  per  epistolam  tuam  postremam  rogavisti,  num 
commentarius  sit  in  ecclesiastem  vel  ribnp  ?  Etiam, 
satis,  superque,  respondeo :  Poli  Synopsis  critico- 
rum ;  et  pro  te  optimum,  opus  Rosenmiilleri  Bibli- 
cum  criticum,  inscriptum  :  *  Scholia  in  vetus  Testa- 
mentum.  Pars  nona,  Solomonis  Scripta  continens,' 
in  volumina  duo  distributum.  Vide  sub  ejus  nom- 
ine in  catalogo  meo  Andoveriano.  Hoc  opus,  vel 
haec  volumina  duo,  separatim,  in  officina  libraria  Per- 
kinsii  et  Marvini  Bostoniensi,  invenies.     Vale. 

'•  Die  Veneris  Januarii,  vicesimo  quarto. 

"  Mihi  nunc  epistolam  absolvendam.  De  Rufo  bene 
per  litteras  audivi.  In  Re  cor  dor  Bostoniensi  postre- 
mo,  Narrationem  extremae  vitae  nostri  avunculi  T. 
Aldenii,  invenies,  et  quoque,  poema.  Hujus  poema- 
tis  auctoren  ignoro.  Me  improviso  oppressit.  Gratias 
abunde  illi  amico  benigno.  Hesterno  die,  de  Christo 
ecclesiae  Capite  et  Domino  praedicavi.  Vespere, 
maxima  populi  frequentia  erat.     In  domine,  vale. 

"  Die  Januarii  27,  opud  Mancunium." 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  829 

It  was  probably  towards  the  last  of  Jan.,  1840,  that 
he  made  the  following  record  in  his  journal :  "  I  must 
stop  buying  books,  until  I  am  out  of  debt.  I  will 
ask  God  to  help  me  keep  such  a  resolution.  I  must 
fast  and  pray  on  account  of  my  undue  tendency  to 
purchase  them,  and  never  again,  if  possible,  go  into 
a  bookstore,  except  to  pay  dues,  until  I  am  out  of 
debt."  And  yet  we  suppose  his  old  habit  obtained 
the  mastery  of  him  the  very  next  time  he  visited 
Boston. 

"  Feb.  9.  —  The  past  week  has  been  one  of  great 
trials,  and  yet  of  some  spiritual  enjoyment.  Tues- 
day, Wednesday,  and  Thursday  mornings,  I  felt  much 
fervor  in  prayer,  and  had  light,  as  I  believe,  from 
God's  countenance."  Referring  to  an  unpleasant 
debate  into  which  he  was  drawn,  he  observes :  "  I 
feel  that  I  have  most  solemn  reason  to  be  ashamed 
before  God  and  his  holy  angels,  that  I  should  allow 
such  a  little  thing  as  was  the  occasion  of  this,  to  en- 
danger my  usefulness  as  a  minister  of  Christ.  I  am 
determined  to  suffer  all  things  in  silence  for  him. 
17.  —  Every  thing  here  now  appears  encouraging  for 
a  powerful  revival.  19.  —  The  number  of  hopeful 
conversions  yesterday  amounted  to  eight  or  nine.  I 
pray  the  Lord  to  preserve,  if  possible,  my  poor  flock 
from  distraction,  and  to  carry  on  his  own  work  as  he 
pleases.  Some  of  the  conversions  are  very  marked 
ones.  I  awaked  this  morning  full  of  the  love  of 
God.  I  have  great  trials,  but  firm  confidence  that 
he  will  sustain  me.  25.  —  The  room  in  which  the 
inquirers  met  last  Saturday  morning  was  overflow- 
ing. 

"  March  3.  —  The  work  of  the  Lord  goes  on  might- 
28* 


830  MEMOIR    OF 

ily ;  my  room  was  more  than  full  last  evening  with 
inquirers.  It  is  very  precious  to  be  in  the  hands  of 
God.  While  I  have  great  fears  as  to  the  genuine- 
ness of  many  of  the  conversions  proclaimed  around 
me,  I  see  reason  to  hope  that  over  sixty  are  born 
again.  —  Have  heard  this  afternoon  that  seventy 
names  have  been  obtained  for  the  organization  of  a 
new  religious  society  in  this  place.  If  it  be  of  God, 
it  will  prosper;  if  not,  it  will  fail.  My  own  salary 
has  been  cordially  voted  for  another  year.  I  think  I 
feel  a  sweet  resignation  to  the  will  of  God.  14.  — 
Had  a  pleasant  season  alone  in  the  woods  in  private 
prayer,  before  breakfast,  striving  after  perfect  conform- 
ity, if  I  understand  it,  to  the  will  of  God.  My  joy, 
however,  is  not  high.  Indeed  I  am  afraid  that  there 
is  something  between  me  and  the  Lord.  Perhaps  I 
have  too  much  literary  ambition,  and  arrogate  to 
myself  too  much  talent.  Let  me  be  divested  of  all 
unhallowed  feelings." 

To  the  wife  of  Rev.  Mr  Thacher,  of  Hawley, 
March  30,  1840. 

"Dear  Friend:  —  I  hear  that  you  are  sick,  and 
probably  drawing  near  to  the  grave.  I  sympathize 
with  you,  and  should  be  pleased  to  see  you,  converse 
and  pray  with  you.  If  you  are  a  child  of  God,  your 
«ituation  is  to  be  envied  rather  than  pitied.  To  live 
is  indeed  Christ,  to  those  who  enjoy  his  smiles.  All 
our  pains  are  easily  borne  when  he  is  sensibly  present. 
Yet  I  feel  that  it  must  be  very  pleasant  to  arrive  at 
home;  to  realize  that  heaven  is  ours,  —  that  we  are 
forever  secured  from  sinning  and  suffering.  I  have, 
jBLS  1  trust,  many  friends  in  heaven,  and  should  like, 


REV.    OLIVER   A.    TAYLOR.  331 

if  it  were  proper,  to  send  messages  to  them  by  you. 
Whatever  fears  you  may  now  have,  will  depart  as 
you  shall  dip  your  feet  into  the  Jordan  of  death,  if 
Jesus  be  your  confidence.  I  shall  pity  your  husband 
and  your  motherless  children ;  but  God  can  be  with 
them  and  take  care  of  them.  I  know  not  how  to  let 
you  go,  without  seeing  you.  Our  interviews,  though 
infrequent  and  brief,  have  to  me  been  grateful  and 
edifying.  Your  piano  now  stands  untouched,  and 
you  will  have  to  leave  it  behind ;  but  there  is,  I  trust,  a 
golden  harp  provided  for  you  in  heaven  ;  that  you  will 
find  a  much  sweeter  instrument,  one  not  liable  to  get 
out  of  tune.  —  You  will  be  gratified  to  learn  that  the 
Lord  has  visited  us  in  mercy.  His  Spirit  came  like 
the  waters  of  which  the  prophet  speaks  —  gradual  at 
first,  but  constantly  increasing." 

To  his  brother  T.,  April  3. 

"  Andoveriam  et  nostros  illic  amicos  rursus  vidi. 
Andoveriam  et  ejus  Seminarium  amo.  In  mundo 
toto,  locum  non  invenio  ubi  tantum  domi  esse  videor. 
Mihi  tamen  locus  est,  ubi  habitat  tristia.  Nunquam 
sine  mentis  anxietudine  ab  institutione  ilia  discedo." 

Journal.  "  April  18.  —  Have  ventured  a  little  this 
week  into  Cicero's  classical  Latin.  Still,  I  have  done 
it  with  great  hesitancy.  Am  afraid  of  wronging  the 
souls  of  those  committed  to  my  charge." 

To  his  brother  T.,  April  22,  1840. 

"  Quod  ad  me  nuper  frequentissime  de  mea  Jere- 
mise  neglige ntia  epistolica,   scriptum,   omnino    sine 


332  MEMOIR    OF 

fundamento  est.  Ad  ejus  epistolas,  sine  mora,  gen- 
eraliter  respondeo.  In  culpa  stat  ille.  Ipsum  hoc 
crimine  expediendum.  Si  ad  me  secundum  normam 
scribit,  litteras,  a  me,  accurate  tempore  exsequentes, 
rursus  accipiet. 

"  Sabbatico  die  postremo,  in  Salem,  per  commuta- 
tionem,  pro  fratre  Waylando  ministro  Baptistico, 
praedicavi.  Heri,  rursus,  Salem,  visi ;  pro  caus^ 
Websterium,  apud  conventionem  Essexiensem  Har- 
risonianam,  expectaturum,  videndi  et  audiendi.  Ad- 
fuit  hie  homo  magnus,  et  ad  populum  orationem  ha- 
buit.  Postquam  a  conventu  recessit,  introductionem 
ad  eum  obtinui. 

"  Foederalista  sum,  ut  pater  noster  erat ;  sed  vocif- 
erationem,  et  vituperationem,  in  Foederalistis,  (vel 
Whigs,)  ut  quoque  in  Democraticis  (vel  Tories)  vel 
Jacksonianis,  vel  Vanburenitibus,  odi.  Vide  nunc, 
quam  difficulte  est,  notiones  hodiernos  eleganter  lat- 
ind  exprimere.     Vale. 

**  Die  Aprilis,  vicesimo  secundo." 

Journal.  "Sabbath,  May  3,  1840. -— Sacrament. 
Some  divine  light  this  morning.  A  glimpse  of  the 
Saviour's  garments  this  afternoon  at  the  table. 

"July  1.  —  Spent  much  of  Monday,  P.  M.,  in 
prayer,  in  the  woods,  mourning  over  past  offences. 
At  times,  the  glory  of  God  becomes  my  all." 

"June  8,  1840. 

"  Fratri  Timotheo  Carissimo  Salutem  :  —  Apud 
Bostoniam  a  te  epistolam  accepi,  ut  per  Record- 
orem  Bostoniensem  certior  fies.  Bene  prasteri- 
verunt   celebrationes   generaliter   omnes    anniversa- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  333 

rise.  Amicorum  Christianorum  societate  admodum 
fruitus  sum.     Te  solum  Rufumque  desideravi. 

"  In  Bostoniam,  die  Martis  antemeridiana,  perveni. 
Me  hospitio  excepit  dominus  Washburnus,  Mercator 
plus.  Cum  Folsomio,  nuperissime  transfuga  ab  trin- 
itarianisma  ad  unitarianismum,  colloquium  habui. 
Ejus  notionum  religiosarum  novarum  expositionem 
mox  publicabit.  Frater  Abottius  Roxburiensis,  min- 
ister evangelicus,  ab  ejus  populo  dismissionem  roga- 

vit.     Fauci,  inter  quos et  alii  ejus  comites, 

apud  eum,  ut  non  satis  de  doctrinis  prsedicantem, 
questi  sunt.  In  ejus  domo,  die  Veneris,  pernoctavi. 
Magis  eum  quam  suos  occulos  diligunt  plerumque 
01  nolol.  Hie  est  semper  mos  Bostoniensis.  Si 
Pastorem  removere  volunt,  curatores  select!  eum  cer- 
tiorem  faciunt  eos  ejus  labores  magis  non  desiderare. 
Eum  tunc,   silentio,   eos  relinquere  expectant.     Ita 

multos,  inter  alios dolose,  populo  generaliter 

ignorante,  privatim  percusserunt.  Sermone  fictitio 
hi  nobiles  ecclesice  utuntur,  et  semper  ut  studio,  pro 
praedicatione  doctrinali,  percussi,  eorum  contuma- 
ciam indulgent.  Dominorum  Paulorum  plena  est 
haec  terra  mala,  et  tyrannis  abundans.  Hoc  gau- 
dium  meum :  '  Si  Deus  pro  nobis,  quis  contra  nos.* 
Cum  Jesu  omnia  nobis  donat.     Vale  in  Domino." 

"  Thursday,  July  2d.  —  In  the  evening  I  called  into 
Mr.  Dodge's,  to  see  a  curious  worm,  which  had  just 
been  found  in  the  woods  between  Essex  and  Man- 
chester, by  the  side  of  the  road.  3.  —  Went  over 
again  and  examined  the  worm  both  by  daylight,  and 
in  a  dark  closet.  The  following  is  the  best  account 
which  I  can  give  of  it.     When  stretched  out  as  in 


f!  \^ 


334  MIlMOIR    OF    ' 

crawling,  it  is,  I  should  think,  full  three  inches  in 
length.  I  measured  it  with  an  inch  rule.  It  has 
eleven  segments,  or  movable  joints,  each  constitut- 
ing a  kind  of  broad  ring  around  it,  and  made  by  the 
folding  under  of  the  skin,  rhinoceros-like.  It  has  six 
feet  near  the  head  and  neck,  three  on  each  side. 
The  head  is  of  a  darkish  yellow  color,  and  is  drawa- 
ble  in  under  the  skin,  or  first  ring,  (somewhat  as  is  the 
turtle's,)  and  is  relatively  quite  small.  There  are  two 
threadlike  horns  coming  out,  near  the  eyes,  (or  where 
eyes  would  naturally  be),  about  the  eighth  of  an  inch 
in  length.  Immediately  beneath  these  horns,  and 
running  around  the  mouth,  is  a  half  hoop,  thus  '^ ; 
apparently  fastened  at  each  end,  in  the  two  corners 
of  the  mouth,  and  I  suppose  it  to  be  composed  of  two 
parts,  but  am  unable  to  decide.  Directly  under  this 
hoop,  on  each  side  of  the  mouth,  are  two  feelers,  of 
about  an  equal  length  with  the  horns.  They  appa- 
rently run  out  of  two  little  sheaths.  Immediately  be- 
tween these  two  is  another,  shorter,  and  forked  at  the 
end,  though  it  has  somewhat  the  appearance  of  be- 
ing two^  close  together,  except  at  the  end. 

"  At  the  other  extreme  of  this  worm,  there  is  some- 
thing to  assist  it  in  crawling,  like  a  pliable  finger,  ca- 
pable of  being  projected  out,  drawn  back,  and  also 
of  being  bent  under.  It  moves  with  considerable  ra- 
pidity, thus  :  It  draws  the  first  half  of  its  body  along 
by  means  of  its  feet,  and  then  it  forces  the  last  half 
along  with  its  finger,  by  doubling  it  under,  and  giv- 
ing a  push. 

"  The  sides  seem  serrated,  by  means  of  the  rings. 
In  coming  to  the  edge  of  the  board  on  which  it  was 
making  its  way,  it  would  reach  out  its  head,  as  if  for 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  335 

a  leaf  or  twig.  It  apparently  has  hooked  feet,  but  it 
is  nevertheless  very  clumsy.  Along  the  back  the 
rings  are  somewhat  of  a  yellowish  color,  and  of  a 
glossy  horny  appearance.  Within  the  folds  they  are 
white.  Button-like  spots  of  a  brownish  color,  are 
seen  on  the  sides,  in  about  the  centre  of  each  ring, 
though  the  sides  are  whitish.  In  each  of  the  ten 
joints  or  rings,  that  is,  in  all  but  that  on  the  neck, 
there  is  what  resembles  the  half  of  a  gold  ring,  run- 
ning across  the  back,  and  from  each  a  bright  light 
streams  when  the  worm  is  in  the  dark.  This  light  is 
of  a  whitish  blue  color,  and  very  brilliant.  Very  near 
the  posterior  extremity  there  is  also  a  ring  of  light 
to  be  seen,  though  there  is  no  joint  corresponding 
with  those  on  the  rest  of  the  body.  Along  the  sides, 
just  forward  of  the  rings,  there  are  bright  spots,  one 
for  each  ring,  out  of  which  the  light  flows  more  bril- 
liantly than  out  of  any  other  part  of  the  creature. 
Indeed  this  little  worm  seems  like  a  mass  of  creeping 
light.  It  was  difficult  to  examine  the  under  part  of 
it,  but  I  discerned  there,  I  think,  some  small  bright 
spots,  paired  two  and  two,  and  in  size  like  the  point 
of  a  pin.  This  discovery  I  made  when  the  worm 
had  been  disturbed  a  little,  and  began  to  crawl. 
Then  it  seems  to  send  forth  light  from  each  one  of 
its  rings,  and  in  particular  from  every  one  of  its  spots. 
This  is  evidently  a  glow-worm^  and  I  judge,  of  the 
same  genus  with  the  one  described  by  Goldsmith 
(vol.  iv.  p.  201),  and  so  frequently  spoken  of  in  Eng- 
land. It  is  also  portrayed  by  Dr.  Paley,  in  his  Nat. 
Theology. 

Journal.     "  July  1840.  —  I  shuddered  this  morning 


336  MEMOIR    OP 

while  reading  in  the  New  York  Observer,  of  July  4, 
the  account  of  a  recent  piracy^  to  think  how  wicked 
a  heart  /  have  within  me.  Use  this  thought  in  a  ser- 
mon on  depravity." 

Early  in  September,  1840,  Mr.  T.  visited  his  brother 
and  wife  in  Slatersville,  R.  I.  Thence  he  went  with 
them  to  Providence,  for  the  purpose  of  attending  the 
anniversary  of  the  American  Board.  On  becoming 
a  pastor,  his  interest  in  missionary  operations  appears 
to  have  greatly  increased. 

Journal.  "  Sept.  21.  —  Yesterday  was  the  anni- 
versary Sabbath  of  my  settlement.  To  me  the  day 
was  solemn,  and  apparently  it  was  so  to  the  audi- 
ence. Hitherto  hath  the  Lord  helped  me.  Christ's 
love  seems  to  grow  richer,  and  to  become  more  and 
more  precious.  The  Lord  glorify  himself  in  me  and 
through  me  among  this  people.  May  he  forgive  all 
the  sins  which  I  have  committed  the  year  past,  and 
when  my  time  shall  arrive  to  be  removed  into  eter- 
nity, may  he  grant  me  a  home  in  heaven." 

His  brother  Rufus,  having  graduated  at  the 
Princeton  Theological  Seminary,  received  a  call  to 
settle  as  pastor  in  Shrewsbury,  N.  J.  The  ordina- 
tion was  appointed  to  occur  Nov.  10,  1840,  Mr.  T. 
was  invited  to  attend  it.  He  wrote  that  brother  in 
October,  and  from  his  letter  a  few  extracts  are  made : 

"  If  you  come  to  the  ministry  with  hearty  good-will 
to  serve  Christ  and  suffer  for  him,  then  welcome  to 
the  work ;  you  shall  have  my  right  hand  of  fellow- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  337 

ship  and  my  prayers.  It  is  the  noblest  of  causes,  the 
noblest  of  works.  O,  that  I  were  better  qualified 
in  patience,  and  in  endurance,  for  all  the  duties  of 
the  ministry.  I  love  my  work,  I  love  my  people,  but 
go  on  with  trembling.  The  promises  of  God  cheer 
me.  They  are  all  yea  and  amen,  in  Christ  Jesus.  I 
desire  to  be  with  you  at  your  ordination,  but  know 
that  it  will  not  be  possible." 

To  the  same,  Nov.  10. 

"  I  have  just  been  thinking  of  you.  It  is  the  day 
of  your  ordination.  I  shall  be  with  you  in  spirit,  I 
trust,  though  absent  in  body.  You  are  going  to  take 
a  responsible  charge.  What  a  work  is  the  ministry ! 
How  dependent  is  the  pastor  for  his  happiness  upon 
others,  and  how  obliged  to  independence  in  behalf  of 
the  truth !  And  yet  it  is  a  glorious  work.  I  would 
not  exchange  it,  except  at  the  will  of  God.  There 
are  precious  promises  to  support  us,  and  angels,  ever 
on  the  wing,  to  bear  us  up  in  their  arms,  lest  we  re- 
ceive harrn.  O I  for  more  faith ;  this  is  all  we  need 
—  a  sweet  confidence  in  the  God  of  all  truth  and 
grace.  I  would  endeavor  to  obtain  a  higher  sense  of 
my  own  responsibilities,  and  would  resort  constantly 
to  the  throne  of  divine  grace  for  aid.  The  Lord  be 
with  you,  my  dear  brother,  this  day.  Be  wholly  de- 
voted to  your  profession.  Look  continually  to  heaven 
for  guidance.  Look  not  for  ease,  nor  for  great  things 
of  a  worldly  nature.  Seek  for  spiritual  blessings,  and 
leave  the  rest  with  God.  Welcome,  my  dear  R.,  to 
all  the  cares  and  trials  of  the  gospel  ministry.  You 
will  find  a  yoke  in  them,  but  it  is  Christ's  yoke.  He 
lays  it  on  us,  and  he  will  help  us  bear  it.     I  present 

29 


MEMOIR    OP 

you  my  right  hand  of  fellowship.     The  Lord  bless 
you.     Amen  and  amen. 

Journal.  "  Nov.  10.  —  Yesterday  was  election 
day.  We  have  of  late  been  full  of  politics.  I  have 
taken  no  part  in  the  election.  In  some  former  cases 
I  have  voted,  but  as  often  refrained  from  it.  I  see 
much  in  both  parties  which  I  must  condemn.  I 
have,  as  pastor,  a  tender  relation  in  this. place  to  both 
political  bodies,  and  must  often  condemn  them  both, 
and  mediate  between  them,  and  ever  strive  to  bring 
them  to  Jesus.  I  cannot  find  that  the  apostles  were 
much  in  the  habit  of  meddling  with  these  matters. 
27.  —  Thanksgiving.  Spent  the  day  pleasantly;  I 
fear,  however,  not  with  sufficient  spiritual  fervor; 
was  too  much  involved  in  secular  studies.  Brother 
Tappan,  the  poet,  preached  for  me. 

To  his  brother  T.  and  wife,  Dec.  9,  1840. 

"  Dear  Brother  and  Sister  :  —  My  hands,  at 
present,  are  full.  Our  political  excitement  has  left 
us  in  a  very  disastrous  religious  state.  We  had  a 
hall  on  the  Monday  evening  after  Thanksgiving, 
and  since  then  the  enemy  has  been  at  work  to  get 
up  a  dancing-school,  and  is  laboring  very  hard  to 
draw  the  members  of  the  church  into  the  business. 
Of  course,  such  times  try  a  pastor  and  faithful 
Christians.  Most  of  our  members,  I  think,  stand 
firm,  but  some  have  fallen ;  and  more,  I  fear,  will.  I 
have  labored  much  in  private ;  but  at  present,  make 
it  a  principle  to  say  nothing  directly  in  public.  In- 
deed, I  have  here  all  the  inconveniences  of  a  city, 
and  need  a  very  elevated  heart  and  steady  hand  to 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  839 

guide  the  helm.  We  have  been  very  cautious  in 
receiving  persons  into  the  church,  since  I  have  been 
here.  Out  of  sixty  or  seventy  hopeful  converts, 
only  about  twenty  have  been  admitted.  Before  I 
came,  however,  several  were  admitted  to  our  present 
great  regret.  In  the  mean  time,  we  have  praying 
brethren  and  sisters,  in  whose  prayers,  or  rather,  in 
the  faithfulness  of  a  prayer-hearing  God,  to  whom 
they  are  addressed,  I  have  great  hopes.  Precious  is 
the  promise,  '  Lo !  I  am  with  you  alway.'  I  often 
think  of  it,  with  gushing  tears,  and  find  in  it  great 
consolation.  If  the  world  should  rage  and  curse, 
the  Saviour  has  told  us  to  expect  it. 

'If  on  my  head,  for  thy  dear  name, 

Shame  and  reproaches  be, 
All  hail  reproach  and  welcome  shame, 
If  thou  remember  me.' 

"I  enjoyed  a  pleasant  Thanksgiving;  Rev.  Wm. 
B.  Tappan,  whose  grandfather  was  minister  here, 
and  whose  relatives  constitute  a  large  proportion  of 
this  population,  preached  for  rae  on  that  day ;  also 
on  Sabbath  evening.  Thanks  to  you,  dear  sister 
Caroline,  for  your  epistolary  fidelity.  I  am  trying  to 
learn  the  lesson  taught  by  the  apostle  to  rejoice  in 
tribulation ;  it  is  a  hard  one,  and  I  fear  I  shall 
prove  a  dull  scholar.  I  am  trying  to  learn  it ;  for  I 
find  that  unless  I  can  glory  and  rejoice  in  tribula- 
tion, I  shall,  much  of  the  time,  be  in  great  sadness. 
No  doubt,  much  will  depend  on  you  as  a  wife,  but 
of  this  be  certain,  that  our  blessed  Saviour  has  grace 
sufficient  for  all  situations  and  responsibilities.  It  is 
sweet,  very  sweet,  to  think  of  the  promises.  Fare- 
well, farewell." 


340  MEMOIR    OF 

Journal.  "Dec.  16,  1840.  — It  has  often  today 
seemed  to  me  that  last  week  the  old  adversary,  with 
a  whole  regiment  of  his  demoniacal  companions, 
pitched  their  tents  in  the  midst  of  us.  22.  —  Am 
miserable  without  the  full  flowings  of  the  love  of 
God.  May  he  grant  me  the  forgiveness  of  sin  and 
the  light  of  his  countenance.  29.  —  On  entering 
ray  room  this  morning  after  breakfast,  a  gush  of 
love  and  holy  confidence  in  God  came  glowing 
through  my  soul.  I  had  great  need  of  it,  in  conse- 
quence of  various  trials.  This  love  cured  all.  I  felt 
strong ;  I  rejoiced  in  God.  Precious  is  the  promise, 
*  Lo !  I  am  with  you,'  etc.  Lord,  make  me  faithful 
unto  death. 

"Jan.  4,  1841.  —  I  am  now  in  the  midst  of  an 
anxious  series  of  events  as  regards  the  parish ;  the 
Lord  keep  us ;  the  Lord  preserve  us  to  his  everlast- 
ing kingdom.  Had  some  light  yesterday;  some 
beamings  of  grace,  mercy,  and  love.  Felt,  however, 
much  of  the  time,  as  I  do  this  morning,  the  weight 
of  a  cold  and  heavy  heart.  Am  praying  for  the 
light  of  the  divine  countenance.  The  advancement 
of  Christ's  cause  will,  at  all  times,  as  a  general  law, 
create  commotion  and  cause  division.  I  would  lie 
down  at  the  foot  of  the  cross.  24.  —  I  see  that  the 
church  here  will  go  all  into  pieces,  if  the  Lord  do 
not  stand  by  us.  The  cause  is  his,  and  I  must  trust 
in  him."  He  refers  to  zealous  efforts  made  by 
sectarians  to  divide  his  church  and  society.  "  I  am 
afraid  that  I  am  so  unworthy  a  pastor  as  to  deserve 
to  be  forsaken  of  God.  25.  —  Have  at  times  felt 
more  confidence  that  the  Lord  will  order  all  right. 
26.  —  Am  now  passing  through  the  valley   of  the 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  341 

shadow  of  death,  in  regard  to  isnis.^^  27.  —  He  be- 
came acquainted  with  two  or  three  new  cases  of 
hope  in  Christ,  by  which  his  spirits  were  greatly- 
animated,  and  he  observes :  "  The  above  circum- 
stance wholly  changed  the  aspect  of  things.  I  could 
rejoice  in  the  Lord.  Still,  can  it  be  a  Christian 
spirit  which  leads  our  brethren  of  other  denomina- 
tions to  do  exactly  what  gratifies  the  devil  and  all 
his  infernal  crew  ?  There  must  be  something  unhal- 
lowed about  them,  or  they  could  not  adopt  such 
measures.  My  church  and  myself  are  willing  to  put 
up  with  what  results  from  whim  or  eccentricity,  if  it 
do  not  injure  the  gospel.  I  protest  before  God,  that 
I  am  not  conscious  of  any  lack  of  charity,  but  I  am 
more  and  more  convinced,  that  the  idea  of  uniting 
the  difierent  classes  of  evangelical  sects  into  one 
body,  is  a  perfect  chimera.  It  cannot  be  done,  till 
the  spirit  of  God  burn  up  all  their  dross,  and  melt 
the  pure  gold  together." 

To  his  mother  about  this  time  he  writes :  "  I  am 
just  at  present  in  the  midst  of  vexations,  of  which  I 
cannot  see  the  end ;  yet  not  from  any  distractions 
among  my  own  friends,  but  from  the  efforts  of  the 

to  crowd  themselves  into   this   place,  and  to 

divide  a  hitherto  united  people.  I  go  to  my  knees 
and  endeavor  to  repose  on  the  Almighty,  but  do  not 
find  that  permanent  support  which  I  desire.  What 
the  Lord  has  for  me,  I  know  not ;  my  present  feeling, 
however,  is,  that  it  is  an  early  grave.  The  shocks  of 
a  troublesome  world  are  too  terrible  for  my  enfeebled 
frame.  The  adversary  seems  at  present  to  have 
among  us  an  unwonted  length  of  chain.  A  minis- 
29* 


342  MEMOIR    OP 

ter^s  post  is  no  easy  one  to  defend  ;  his  office  is  no 
sinecure.  I  ought  certainly  to  rejoice  that  God 
reigns  —  that  Jesus  is  on  the  throne;  but  unbelief 
troubles  me.  The  Lord  be  with  you,  dear  parent. 
Prize  your  quiet  home." 

To  his  brother  T.  and  wife,  Feb.  1,  1841. 

"  Fratri  suo  et  Sorori  carissimis  salutem  in 
Christo  : — Causam  hujus  silentii  longi  insolitique 
epistolaris  requiro  ?  Nam  in  morbum  periculosum 
cecidisti,  tu  vel  uxor  tua?  Forsitan  amicos  Con- 
necticuttenses  tuos  vel  Hawleienses  visistis!  Uti- 
nam  tecum,  sit,  Spiritus  Dei,  et  renovatio  religiosa, 
labores  abundantes  offerens.  —  In  suspicionem  veni, 
et  amicorum  antiquorum  oblitum  fecit  nimietas 
nuptialis  felicitatis.  —  Epistolas  frequentes  longas- 
que  a  Carolina  Sorore  expectavi.  Sed  eheu,  ita 
semper  transivit  mea  spes  mundana!  Nobiscum 
hie  annus  vanitatis  et  vexationum  pastoralium  fuit 
plenas.  Nos  vexaverunt,  Schola  Saltatoria,  Univer- 
salismus,  Enthusiasmus,  Perfectionismus,  et  Libero- 
Arbitrarismus.  Ad  nos  tamen  venierunt  guttae 
paucae  misericordiae  coelestis.     Vale." 

Journal.     "  Feb.  10,  1841.  —  Two  ministers 

in  town.  Sea  and  land  must  be  compassed  to  make 
one  proselyte."  With  these  interfering  sectarians  he 
was  frequently  coming  into  contact,  and  by  them  the 
quietness  of  his  soul  was  often  seriously  disturbed. 
"  11-  —  I  pTay  that  under  these  circumstances  I  may 
be  preserved  in  the  fear  of  God,  and  made  faithful 
and  useful  in  the  path  of  duty;  I  see  increasing 
reason  to  stand  aloof  from  ■— • —  as  a  denomination. 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  343 

Prayer  is  my  resort;  I  look  upward,  and  must  do 
so  continually." 

To  his  youngest  brother,  in  Amherst  College, 
March  8,  1841. 

"  My  dear  J. :  —  It  is  no  wonder  that  you  de- 
spond, after  having  been  gone  from  college  half  a 
term  and  coming  back  directly  into  the  midst  of 
intricate  studies.  You  had  better  be  a  thousand 
dollars  in  debt,  when  you  graduate,  than  to  be  out 
of  college  in  term  time  for  a  single  quarter.  In 
order  to  have  good  spirits  in  college,  you  must  get 
your  lessons  well,  and  rank  with  the  first  in  scholar- 
ship, or  else  bow  with  sweet  resignation  to  the  will 
of  God  in  the  impossibility  of  attaining  such  emi- 
nence. If  you  must  be  absent  from  college  at  all 
during  term  time,  so  lay  your  plans  as  to  be  aw^ay 
at  the  close,  while  the  class  is  reviewing,  and  not 
at  the  commencement  of  the  term.  Much  evil  may 
thus  be  avoided.  Especially  look  up  to  God  as 
your  father,  for  guidance.  Place  a  humble  confi- 
dence in  him,  and  all  things,  I  trust,  will  go  well." 

Journal.  "  March  28, 1841.  —  Sabbath  eve.  Felt 
quite  ill  today,  though  the  services  have  been  solemn. 
I  pray  for  resignation  to  all  the  allotments  of  Provi- 
dence ;  and  above  all  things,  for  a  spirit  of  prayer ; 
to  be  deprived  of  this  is  dreadful. 

"  April  6.  —  News  has  just  reached  us  of  the 
death  of  President  Harrison.  A  solemn  event.  14. 
—  Have  been  much  troubled  of  late  with  harassing 
thoughts.  Set  apart  this  day  for  prayer  and  fasting 
on  that  account.     Was  interrupted,  and  closed  with 


344  MEMOIR    OF 

the  forenoon."  Under  date  of  April  21,  speaking  of 
deep  depression  of  spirits,  and  then  specifying  several 
causes,  he  adds :  "  O,  let  me  be  devoted  wholly  to 
God.  I  have  nowhere  else  to  go  but  to  him.  Lord, 
hold  me  in  thy  hand.  Lord,  I  run  like  a  little  child 
to  thy  blessed  arms,  and  supplicate  for  patience. 
Tears  are  my  relief — Jesus  forever  reigns.  29. — 
Awaked  this  morning  in  poor  health ;  walked  out 
into  the  woods,  and  endeavored  to  lay  myself  down 
at  the  foot  of  the  cross.  I  found  the  promises  of 
the  day,  as  arranged  by  Clark,  very  pleasant:  *  In  all 
these  things  we  are  more  than  conquerors,'  etc.  I 
did  not  get  glowing  comfort,  as  I  sometimes  do,  but 
I  could  not  avoid  thinking  the  Lord  looked  favora- 
bly upon  me.  On  my  returning,  feared  that  I  do 
not  love  souls  enough.  Tried  to  breathe  forth 
prayers  for  all  my  dear  people.  Thought  I  could 
carry  them  to  Jesus  Christ  in  the  arms  of  love ;  yea, 
I  could  take  the  bitterest  enemy  I  have  on  earth,  and 
bear  him  there.  Said  to  myself,  O  Lord,  I  love  thy 
word ;  I  love  my  work.  I  only  pray  to  be  wholly 
devoted  to  it,  and  for  strength  to  perform  it.  Or  if 
I  must  suffer,  I  pray  for  grace  and  patience  to  endure 
aright.  Felt  afraid  that  my  sufferings  arise  from  a 
want  of  sufficient  devotedness  to  my  work."  As  he 
was  walking  out  he  met  a  young  man,  who  was 
soon  to  start  with  others  on  a  fishing  voyage. 
"  Prayed  for  them  all  as  I  left  him." 

"  May  3.  —  Had  some  glimpses  of  the  divine 
countenance  yesterday.  Was,  however,  after  the 
sacrament,  in  great  darkness,  which  still  remains." 
26. —  On  changing  his  boarding  place,  he  remarks  : 
"  I  took  leave  of  my  former  room  not  without  emo- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  345 

tion,  and  would  enter  my  new  quarters  in  reliance 
upon  God.  It  is  pleasant  to  consecrate  them  and 
myself  to  him." 

Mr.  T.  deeply  interested  himself  in  the  Sabbath 
school.  When  on  a  particular  occasion  he  noticed 
some  who  had  been  members  turning  away  from  it, 
he  entreated  them  to  return.  On  their  persisting  in 
a  determination  to  withdraw,  he  left  them  much 
grieved,  saying  to  the  superintendent,  "  We  must  do 
for  such  persons,  so  much,  that  we  shall  be  able  to 
appeal  to  our  fidelity  should  we  meet  them  on  their 
dying  beds,  —  so  much  that  we  shall  be  conscious 
we  are  free  from  all  guilt." 

"July  17.  —  Much  tried  last  evening  with  the 
thinness  of  the  Scbbith  school  teachers'  meeting.  I 
had  a  most  distrei-sing  time  of  it ;  I  could  hardly  pro- 
ceed. I  came  home  and  went  directly  to  my  room, 
and  in  agony  prostrated  myself  on  the  floor  in 
prayer.  Am  quite  unwell  today.  Had  some  vertigo 
this  morning.  I  stagger  along.  The  Lord  lift  upon 
me  the  light  of  his  countenance.  18.  —  Sabbath. 
Weighed  down  greatly  this  morning  by  a  sense  of 
my  own  unworthiness.  '  Had  also  unusual  views  of 
the  holiness  of  God.  The  pulpit  seemed  to  be  an 
awful  place,  standing  between  heaven  and  hell. 
Some  comfort  while  preaching." 

To  his  youngest  brother,  July  19,  1841. 

"  My  dear  J. :  —  Money  I  have  not.  Love  only 
I  can  send  thee,  and  this,  in  a  short  compass.     A 

lady  from  this  place,  Mrs. visits  Amherst  the 

present  week.     You  may  find  her  at  Dr.  Strong's. 
Perhaps  you  will  be  able  to  do  her  some   service. 


346  MEMOIR    OF 

Her  son  is  about  entering  college,  and  she  would 
like  to  have  him  religiously  chummed;  she  feels  anx- 
ious on  this  point.  Help  her  if  you  can.  As  for 
yourself,  pray  make  better  calculations  about  the 
time  of  teaching  than  you  did  last  year,  or  else  not 
teach  at  all.  The  Lord  be  with  you,  my  brother, 
and  bless  you  forever." 

Journal.  "  July  25.  —  Was  almost  exhausted  after 
meeting,  but  felt  the  sweet  influences  of  the  love  of 
God.  27.  —  A  poor  day  yesterday,  health  very  bad; 
nevertheless,  I  went  around,  making  various  calls, 
endeavoring  to  comfort  the  sick  and  sorrowful,  the 
nervous  and  deranged.     Had  a  long  conversation 

with  on  the  subject  of  temperance.     All  was 

pleasant,  but  he  will  not  sign  the  total  abstinence 
pledge.  I  am  sorry.  So  it  will  be  for  the  present. 
We  much  need  his  help,  but  must  try  to  get  along 
without  it. 

"  Aug.  1.  —  Sabbath.  Preached  a  sermon  in  the 
forenoon  on  the  death  of  Rev.  Mr.  Emerson,  former 
pastor  of  this  church.  The  last  thing  which  he  read 
before  his  sudden  death  was  an  article  of  my  versifi- 
cation. 18.  —  Am  this  day  forty  years  of  age.  Not 
much  have  I  yet  accomplished  for  the  honor  of  God. 
Have  devoted  the  day  to  prayer. 

"  Sept.  1.  —  Spent  the  last  night  in  Boston,  and 
had  strong  desires  in  the  night  for  entire  consecration 
to  God.  On  my  way  toward  Andover  today,  was 
very  desponding  while  in  the  car,  yet  in  silent  thought 
found  comfort  by  committing  my  soul  to  God.  5.  — 
Sabbath.  Communion  day.  The  Lord  I  feel  has 
been  with  me.     Enjoyed  the  love  of  the  Saviour,  I 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  347 

must  believe.  Long  for  blessings  upon  the  church. 
Was  some  afraid,  however,  while  preaching  this 
afternoon  that  my  sermon  was  cast  a  little  too  hard. 
There  were  four  funerals  here  the  last  week." 

A  person  having  about  this  time  made  strictures 
on  his  preaching  and  other  pulpit  performances,  he 
wrote  thus  in  his  journal :  — 

"  What  a  result  should  I  reach  were  I  to  be  gov- 
erned by  these  remarks.  The  Lord  help  me  to  stand 
firm  and  perform  my  duty.  This  is  my  prayer.  God 
has  been  greatly  helping  me  by  his  providences." 

In  this  month  he  was  permitted  to  attend  down 
into  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death  one  who 
called  him  her  dear  minuter.  The  scene,  though 
deeply  affecting,  was  full  of  sweet  satisfaction. 
Other  occurrences  of  heavenly  interest  he  records, 
and  observes :  "  Thus  the  Lord  sends  me  here  and 
there  some  drops  of  consolation.  9.  —  Received  a 
very  gentle  hint  from  another  quarter  that  my  after- 
noon sermon  last  Sabbath  was  severe,  while  the 
forenoon  one  was  praised.  There  is  something 
striking  in  the  above  fact.  I  have  recently  preached 
two  close  sermons  to  impenitent  sinners  respecting 
their  living  on  the  faults  of  Christians.  Of  these,  I 
hear  no  special  complaint ;  but  as  soon  as  I  speak 
to  cold-hearted  or  lukewarm  professors,  they  are 
startled  and  offended."  Near  the  last  date  he  was 
informed  in  one  of  his  morning  walks  that  an  indi- 
vidual had  died  very  happily  during  the  night.  Tn 
regard  to  the  event  he  says  :  "  I  could  not  help  burst- 
ing into  tears.  It  is  good  to  converse  with  those 
who  live  on  the  borders  of  eternity." 

Early  in  October  he  visited  his  mother.     Of  the 


348  MEMOIR    OF 

journey  he  remarks :  "  I  have  had  some  religious 
comfort  on  my  way  hither,  but  at  times  am  much 
troubled  with  the  want  of  gentle  Christian  feelings." 

The  foUowdng  letter  was  written  to  his  mother 
from  Heath,  Oct.  13,  1841. 

"  Dear  Parent  :  —  Various  little  circumstances 
conspired  to  disturb  the  tranquillity  of  my  thoughts 
on  leaving  you  yesterday.  As  a  consequence  my 
farewell  was  not  of  that  sweet  and  soothing  charac- 
ter that  I  could  wish  whenever  I  part  with  you,  feel- 
ing as  I  always  do  that  our  next  meeting  may  be  in 
the  world  of  spirits.  I  had  intended  to  commend 
you  to  the  grace  of  God  in  a  short  prayer,  and  to 
have  some  religious  conversation  with  Mary.  Hard 
is  the  attainment  of  that  quietude  of  soul  which  the 
Christian  always  needs.  I  felt  the  sad  nature  of 
our  farewell  for  a  long  time  ;  I  feel  it  still.  I  thought 
of  the  subject  in  the  night  and  said,  it  was  a  poor 
farewell  for  a  last  one.  I  had,  however,  some  cheer- 
ing conversation  with  dear  Mr.  Thacher  on  our  way. 
We  met  a  goodly  number  of  the  brethren  in  Charle- 
mont.  Mr.  T.  and  myself  conversed  till  very  late 
about  the  things  of  the  kingdom.  He  is  a  choice 
Christian.  I  love  him.  The  more  I  have  tested  his 
heart  the  more  I  have  found  it  beating  with  love  to 
God.  I  arose  early  this  morning  to  ascend  the 
mountain  to  Heath.  I  had  endeavored  to  ask  God's 
blessing  on  you  and  Mary.  A  heavenly  calm  of 
soul  began  to  return.  Most  delightful  was  the  as- 
cent of  the  mountain.  I  passed  out  of  the  shades  of 
night  into  the  beams  and  radiance  of  day.  Objects 
around  me  grew  brighter  and  brighter.     O  glorious 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  349 

is  the  kingdom  of  Christ.  Pray,  dear  mother,  for 
yom*  son  that  he  may  attain  unto  that  perfect  seren- 
ity of  soul  which  comes  from  resignation  to  the 
divine  will.  Thanks  to  Mary  for  her  few  farewell 
lines  ;  I  cannot  but  feel  that  there  are  stores  of  mercy 
and  grace  for  her  in  Jesus  Christ.  I  was  about 
closing,  yet  the  fear  again  comes  that  our  interview 
was  not  sufficiently  spiritual.  Dear  mother,  if  we 
are  true  believers  we  shall  soon  be  together  in  para- 
dise. If  any  thing  I  have  ever  said  to  you  has 
wounded  your  feelings,  throw  the  mantle  of  maternal 
love  over  it." 

Journal.  "  Oct.  19,  1841.  —  A  sweet  conversation 
with  brother  Andrew  Lee."  Under  the  same  date  he 
describes  an  occurrence  which  grieved  him  greatly. 
"  It  is  not  a  matter  of  wonder  that  under  such  circum- 
stances I  was  much  awake  and  often  groaning  the 
last  night.  I  have,  also,  had  experience  of  divine 
consolation.  Jesus  says  he  will  never  leave  nor  for- 
sake his  disciples.  24.  —  Sabbath.  Had  this  morn- 
ing very  great  weakness  of  body,  prostration  of  men- 
tal power  and  of  religious  feeling ;  had  some  desires 
for  true  resignation,  but  no  permanent  peace  and 
love.  26.  —  Just  as  I  was  closing  a  letter  to  my  mo- 
ther this  morning,  a  little  past  nine,  it  was  announced 
to  me  that  Mr.  Lee  had  been  thought  dying  all  the 
night.  At  once  I  hastened  to  see  him,  but  he  had 
already  gone,  having  expired  a  half  hour  previously. 
In  him  I  have  lost  my  right-hand  man,  my  spiritual 
companion,  my  kind  and  gentle  counsellor,  my  inti- 
mate friend ;  the  person  on  whose  prayers  I  depended 
more  than  upon  those  of  any  other  person  in  the 

30 


350  MEMOIR    OF 

church.  I  could  unbosom  my  whole  soul  to  him.  I 
could  refer  scoffing  opposers  to  him  as  one  who  lived 
up  to  his  profession,  as  an  Israelite  in  whom  there 
was  no  guile.  I  had  a  comforting  interview  with 
him  yesterday  in  the  forenoon.  On  parting  he  said : 
*  The  Lord  be  with  you.'  May  I  so  live  as  to  meet 
him  in  heaven.  O,  how  shall  I  come  out  at  last? 
shall  I  so  fight  as  to  win  ? 

"  Nov.  2.  —  Felt  as  if  the  heathen  were  crying  out 
at  our  very  doors  for  the  bread  of  life.  A  shuddering 
came  over  me  as  I  thought  of  our  coldness  on  the 
subject  of  missions.  In  the  night  I  lay  awake  think- 
ing of  this  matter,  and  engaged  in  prayer  for  myself 
and  church  relative  to  it.  4.  —  Had  some  longings 
after  pure  religion.  A  sweet  time  in  writing  my  ser- 
mon. 12.  —  During  most  of  this  week  have  been  in 
great  spiritual  darkness,  full  of  temptation  and  desti- 
tute of  prayerfulness.  Yesterday,  some  returnings 
to  a  better  state  of  soul.  A  pleasant  afternoon  and 
evening  in  pastoral  visiting.  This  morning  more 
heavenly  light  begins  to  shine.  14.  —  Sabbath.  Very 
sad  in  the  morning ;  felt  as  though  I  could  not  pos- 
sibly pray.  Soon  after  relief  came,  when  the  spirit 
and  resolution  of  prayer  seemed  to  rush  upon  me 
from  heaven.  Prayed  against  a  cold  heart  in  reli- 
gion ;  against  liability  to  anger ;  against  worldly  am- 
bition ;  the  sin  of  buying  books ;  a  disposition  to 
complain  of  men;  against  a  proneness  to  distrust 
God.  Found  sweet  delight  in  the  promises.  22. — 
Unable  to  sleep  Sabbath  night,  I  arose  between  eleven 
and  twelve  to  read  my  Bible  and  to  pray.  Gained 
some  relief  from  anguish  of  soul."  He  was  obliged 
to  pursue  the   same   course  the  next  night,  suppli- 


KEV.     OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  351 

eating  for  himself  and  people  the  mercy  of  the 
Lord. 

Being  located  on  the  sea-shore  Mr.  T.  was  fre- 
quently called  upon  to  sympathize  with  those  whose 
friends  died  on  the  deep  or  in  distant  ports.  Return- 
ing from  a  funeral  one  day  toward  the  close  of  No- 
vember, he  was  summoned  to  see  a  family  that  had 
just  received  intelligence  of  the  sudden  death  of  a 
young  man,  one  of  its  members,  who  had  died  in 
New  Orleans.  The  mother  was  almost  distracted ; 
for  awhile  she  seemed  absolutely  to  refuse  comfort. 
But  having  soothed  her,  and  having  prayed  with  that 
bereaved  company,  he  left  them  and  directly  heard 
that  a  poor  widow  woman  had  just  lost  a  son  at  sea. 
He  found  her  more  distracted,  if  possible,  than  the 
other,  but  was  enabled  to  administer  consolation  to 
her  also. 

On  the  30th  he  says :  "  News  came  last  evening 
that  Mr. had  died  at  New  Orleans.  Notwith- 
standing the  storm,  I  went  down  at  once  to  see  his 
family.  They  had  not  heard  of  the  event.  I  pre- 
pared the  way  as  well  as  possible ;  yet  when  I  came 
to  say  your  husband  is  no  more,  it  was  like  cutting 
the  great  artery. 

"  Dec.  7.  —  Monthly  concert  last  evening.  Pained 
to  hear  that  some  of  the  absent  church  members  were 
at  a  social  party.  11.  —  Saturday  morning,  five  min- 
utes before  three.     Have  just  returned  from  the  dying 

scene  of  Miss ,  to  which  T  was  called  a  little  past 

twelve.  The  room  was  filled  with  young  people. 
She  took  me  by  the  hand,  and  in  the  most  affection- 
ate manner  remarked :  '  What  you  said  to  me  about 
attending  the  Sabbath  school  was  not  lost.' "     Mr. 


352  MEMOIR    OF 

T.  had  also  some  time  previously  advised  her  not  to 
attend  a  dance,  to  which  she  was  invited,  and  she 
now  declared  that  her  mind  had  not  been  on  it,  that 
she  went  merely  to  please  a  friend.  "  I  asked  her 
after  having  remained  some  time,  if  I  should  leave 
her ;  she  replied,  if  duty  calls.  Her  mind  was  calm 
and  Jesus  was  apparently  her  joy.  Thus  the  faithful 
minister  is  constantly  receiving  his  reward.  Let  me 
prove  faithful.  Lord,  help,  help.  O  for  grace,  for 
entire  devotion  to  my  work."  After  the  death  of  this 
young  woman,  he  says  :  "  I  have  thought  how  differ- 
ent my  feelings  are  from  what  they  would  be  had  I 
failed  of  fidelity  to  her  in  the  matter  of  dancing,  and 
had  I  heard  from  her  dying  lips  accusations  of  my 
unfaithfulness. 

"  Jan.  2,  1842.  —  Sabbath.  A  serious  and  solemn 
day.  Had  much  inward  peace  and  comfort.  Felt 
anxious  about  my  afternoon  sermon.  Tried  to  min- 
gle kindness  and  love  in  every  part,  also  to  base  every 
thing  on  the  Bible,  so  that  all  the  fault  found  with 
me  must  be  found  with  that.  5.  —  Twenty-two 
years  have  passed  since  the  death  of  my  father.  18. 
—  About  half  past  eleven  this  morning  I  was  called 
to  visit  a  dying  member  of  the  church.  She  took  me 
by  the  hand  and  began  to  speak  immediately  of  the 
love  of  the  Saviour.  He  was  precious,  very  precious 
to  her ;  was  her  only  refuge." 

To  his  brother  T.  and  wife,  Feb.  8,  1842. 

"  You  both  have  reason  to  complain  of  my  long 
silence.  We  have  had  constant  sickness  among  us. 
The  winter  here  is  a  time  of  great  excitement ;  be- 


REV.    OLIVER   A.    TAYLOR.  353 

sides,  my  own  health  is  very  miserable.  I  am  con- 
stantly subject  to  seasons  of  great  nervous  depression. 
—  We  have  no  general  revival,  but  cases  of  particu- 
lar interest.  As  to  myself,  sister  C,  I  feel  the  need 
every  day  of  a  kind-hearted  wife  to  sympathize  with 
me  and  help  me  bear  my  burdens,  though  I  am  com- 
fortably provided  for  as  a  single  man." 

Being  much  tried  by  certain  unpleasant  events,  he 
exclaims  :  Feb.  26.  —  "  O  that  I  had  hard,  enduring 
nerves,  but  I  have  not.  Help  me,  O  God,  by  thy 
grace."  He  however  adds :  "  Enjoyed  some  sweet 
comfort  this  morning  in  the  thought  that  the  arms  of 
the  Eternal  are  around  his  children,  especially  his 
ministering  servants  when  they  are  faithful. 

"  March  26.  —  A  time  of  fearful  temptation.  Lay 
awake  last  night  some  time  in  prayerful  struggles. 
This  evening  some  new  light.  O  I  see  him  again, 
and  he  says,  '  When  thou  passest  through  the  waters 
I  will  be  with  thee,  and  through  the  rivers,  they  shall 
not  overflow  thee.' " 

Some  time  in  the  spring  of  this  year  he  wrote  and 
published  the  following  lines  :  — 
« 
SPRING. 

"  Sweet  Spring  is  coming,  is  coming; 
I  smell  her  fragrant  breeze, 
And  hear  the  birds  a  humming, 
In  merry  glees, 
Around  me  in  the  trees,  — 
Sweet  Spring  is  coming,  is  coming. 

"As  wont,  the  zephyrs  quaffing, 
I  walked,  at  dawn,  today, 
And  heard  a  robin  laughing, 
On  a  lofty  spray, 

30* 


354  MEMOIR    OF 

And  a  -warbling  brown  bird  *  say, 
Sweet  Spring  is  coming,  is  coming. 

"  And  hark  !  the  frogs  arc  peeping ; 
See  !  the  lambs  are  sporting  by ; 
While  the  serpent  forth  is  creeping ; 
And  the  wild  geese  cry. 
On  their  journey  through  the  sky,  — 
O,  surely  Spring  is  coming. 

"  Just  now,  in  beauties  blushing, 

I  plucked  a  Venus'  Pride,   . 
And  found  my  foot  was  crushing, 

Yet  undescried, 

A  violet  at  its  side  ; 
O,  surely  Spring  is  coming. 

"  I  know  it,  the  word  is  spoken  ; 
The  reign  of  storms  is  o'er ; 
The  chains  of  ice  are  broken. 
From  shore  to  shore ; 
I  have  heard  the  torrent  roar, 
For  Spring  was  coming,  was  coming. 

"  Farewell,  departing  Winter, 

Thy  favors  we  recall. 
Long  evenings  for  the  printer. 

Or  the  Lyceum-hall, 

Or  religion's  solemn  call. 
Yet  tearless,  tearless  sever ! 

"  Sweet  Spring,  our  bosoms  bless  thee ; 

All  hail  thy  gentle  reign ! 
With  flow'rets  fair  to  dress  thee. 

We'll  hasten  to  the  plain. 

With  all  the  youthful  train. 
For  welcome  is  thy  coming." 

Finding  that  some  poor  people  were  behindhand 
in  the  payment  of  their  parish  taxes,  he  privately 

*  The  Fringilla  Juncorura,  or  Rush  Sparrow. 


REV.     OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  355 

gave  them  about  twenty-five  dollars.  It  being  inti- 
mated that  it  might  be  necessary  to  sue  certain  neg- 
lecters  of  salary  assessments,  he  declared  that  he 
would  sooner  leave  Manchester  than  that  any  one 
should  be  sued  on  his  account. 

"  April  7.  —  Some  divine  light  and  assistance. 
Gave  away  today  five  Bibles  to  the  children  in  the 
eastern  district  for  their  punctuality  in  attending 
school.  11.  —  God  seemed  to  strengthen  me  all  day 
yesterday.  15.  —  Have  lately  published  an  article  in 
the  Biblical  Repository,  on  Augustine  as  a  sacred 
orator. 

"  May  6.  —  I  have  this  evening  been  examining 
myself  in  prayer  before  God,  and  endeavoring  to 
search  out  my  deficiencies.  31.  —  Am  not  conscious 
of  remissness,  but  people  are  unusually  disposed  to 
find  fault  with  me."  At  a  date  somewhat  later  than 
the  one  just  named,  he  writes  :  "  The  Lord  seemed 
to  come  down  and  take  up  his  abode  for  awhile 
with  me.  I  had  long  desired  his  presence,  without 
finding  it.     O,  the  sweet  savor  of  his  grace." 

Extracts  from  several  letters  to  Mrs.  Martha  Lee, 
of  Manchester,  written  at  Boston,  Anniversary  week, 
1842. 

"  Dear  Mrs.  L.  —  Dull  care  jumped  on  board  with 
me,  as  old  Horace  says,  when  I  got  into  the  coach  to 
leave  M.  The  world  around  was  dead  to  me,  and  I 
was  dead  to  the  world.  My  poor  harp  was  unstrung 
and  broken.  The  company  of  brother  Nickels,  how- 
ever, much  cheered  me,  and  then  at  Salem  I  met  Mr. 
Lamson,  and  some  other  friends,  and  since,  at  Boston, 
friendly  countenances  and  kindly  salutations  have 


356  MEMOIR    OF 

brought  me  somewhat  to  my  sensations.  What 
aroused  me  still  more  yesterday  was  the  sermon  by 
Dr.  Storrs.  It  brought  up  before  me  my  solemn  re- 
lations as  a  pastor,  and  prostrated  me  for  a  few  mo- 
ments in  tears,  in  secret  prayer  at  the  foot  of  the 
cross  for  help,  in  reference  to  the  dear  people  of  my 
charge.  I  feel  today  much  restored  and  quite  cheer- 
ful.    My  religious  emotions  have  returned. 

"  During  an  interval  of  the  exercises,  I  visited  today 
the  *  Trial  of  Jesus,'  composed  of  twenty-three  wax 
figures,  full  size,  in  oriental  costume,  which  had  some 
good  things.  The  crown  of  thorns  was  not  so  well 
done.  The  countenance  of  the  Saviour  looked  placid, 
innocent,  though  somewhat  anxious.  By  the  by,  a 
number  of  these  wax  figures,  as  I  am  told,  were  dis- 
played not  long  since  to  represent  entirely  other  char- 
acters, in  the  exhibition  of  the  '  Last  Supper,'  —  so 
easy  is  it  for  the  same  figure  to  represent  a  Peter  or  a 
Judas.  I  have  also  visited  Ruben's  Descent  from  the 
Cross,  as  repainted  by  Bryant,  of  New  York.  It  is 
an  interesting  performance,,  illustrating  several  points. 
1.  That  a  painting  should  resemble  a  bunch  of 
grapes,  every  thing  naturally  grouped  together.  2. 
That  a  painting  should  be  in  the  pyramid  form,  that 
is,  have  the  appearance  of  strength.  3.  That  there 
should  be  a  harmony  of  colors.  Painters,  we  are 
informed,  use  but  three,  all  others  being  made  by  a 
combination  of  these,  certain  colors  making  as  much 
discord  to  the  eye,  when  combined  together,  as  cer- 
tain sounds  do  on  the  ear." 

After  giving  a  full  report  of  some  highly  interest- 
ing addresses  from  missionary  brethren,  he  adds, 
"  On  the  whole  the  gospel  and  the  ministerial  office 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  357 

magnify  themselves  before  me  more  and  more,  and 
press  heavily  upon  me.  O  for  better  health,  and 
stronger  faith.  I  would  fain  visit  Paradise  and  then 
come  down  t'o  earth  after  having  been  filled  there 
with  the  flames  of  celestial  love.  We  are  not  doing 
enough  in  M.  for  the  cause  of  Christ.  We  do  not, 
as  a  church,  burn  and  gloiv  with  divine  love.  The 
love  of.  God  is  the  most  excellent  of  all  things. 

"  Yesterday  morning,  after  sealing  my  letter  to  you, 
I  went  to  St.  Paul's  to  see  a  baptism  performed. 
There  were  thirteen  present  to  be  admitted  to  the 
church,  Mr.  S.  and  wife  among  them.  I  was  inter- 
ested in  the  exercises.  A  thought  which  passed 
through  my  mind  at  the  moment,  —  that  notwith- 
standing their  external  forms,  we  are  all  one,  if  regen- 
erated in  Christ  Jesus,  —  particularly  affected  me. 
The  drapery  is  of  little  account.  What  matters  it 
how  a  man  dresses  beyond  the  mere  convenience  of 
local  customs.  A  man  is  a  man,  let  him  dress  how 
he  will,  a  la  Fran^oise,  a  I'Anglaise,  a  la  Turque,  or 
in  any  other  way,  and  so  those  who  have  the  spirit  of 
Christ  are  his  disciples  however  they  may  worship 
him. 

"  I  have  called  on  Mar  Yohanna.  The  Mar  means 
Saint.  It  is  applied  only  to  bishops,  however,  and 
would,  perhaps,  be  rendered  by  our  word,  Reverend, 
or  Right  Reverend,  or  perhaps  Dr.  as  well.  While 
with  him  I  learned  through  Mr.  Stoddard  a  piece  of 
orientalism.  The  brother  of  the  emperor,  or  Shah  of 
Persia,  recently  died,  as  has  just  been  stated  in  let- 
ters from  the  East.  No  one  dared  tell  the  emperor 
of  the  event.  A  painter  was  obtained  who  repre- 
sented the  brother  as  dead,  and  then  the  picture  was 


358  MEMOIR    OF 

presented  to  the  emperor,  who  immediately  under- 
stood it  and  fainted  away.  What  could  have  been 
more  delicately  done?  and  then  it  was  truly  ori- 
ental." 

To  his  brother  Jeremiah,  Amherst  College,  June 
11,  1842. 

"  My  dear  J. : —  Yqu  are  expecting  a  letter  from 
me,  about  this  time.  Since  I  saw  you,  things  have 
gone  on  here  nearly  as  usual.  My  health  has  not 
been  very  good ;  is  now  some  better. 

"  I  was  much  rejoiced  to  hear  that  there  is  a  revi- 
val in  your  college.  Not  long  since  1  received  a  visit 
from  Mrs.  E.,  of  N.,  who  has  a  son  in  Amherst 
College.  She  feels  for  him  with  all  the  yearnings  of 
a  Christian  mother,  and  wished  me  to  write  and 
request  you  to  fix  your  eye  upon  him  and  endeavor 
to  exert  an  influence  over  him,  of  a  Christian  nature. 
I  know  little  or  nothing  about  him ;  but  unless  he 
h^ve  already  turned  to  stone,  he  would  melt  could 
he  see  the  tears  she  shed  for  him  in  my  presence. 
Oh  these  sons  little  think  what  they  do,  when  they 
thus  agonize  a  fond  parent's  bosom.  Look  him  up, 
and  try,  if  he  needs  it,  to  exert  a  saving  influence 
over  him. 

"  I  had  a  pleasant  anniversary  week  in  Boston,  — 
saw  Dr.  Humphrey  there.  Have  heard  from  T., 
—  he  has  a  revival,  —  quite  a  hopeful  one." 

Journal.  "  July  9, 1842.  —  I  have  always  felt  that 
the  blessing  of  God  would  rest  on  me  as  a  parish 
minister,  only  so  long  as  I  might  be  solemnly  devoted 
to  his  service  in  the  secret  purposes  of  my  soul,  and 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  359 

in  the  consecration  of  my  heart  to  the  ministry." 
24.  —  After  narrating  certain  events,  which  greatly 
tried  him,  he  remarks :"  The  love  of  the  Saviour 
came  over  me,  and  it  was  around  me  when  I  awaked. 
I  trust  I  feel  its  influence  still.  The  promise,  '  Lo !  I 
am  with  you  alway,'  has  a  reality  in  it  for  the  chil- 
dren of  God." 

Items.  "  The  other  day,  my  window  being  opened 
downward  from  the  top,  a  dove  came  and  sat  on  the 
top  of  the  sash,  and,  stretching  its  head  one  way  and 
another,  looked  into  the  room  and  then  flew  away  as 
though  it  found  nothing  there  agreeable  to  its  mind. 
Thus  the  Holy  Spirit  often  seems  to  come  and  look 
into  the  heart,  and  then  to  fly  away. 

"  I  found,  not  long  since,  a  tree  torn  up  by  the 
roots.  Other  trees  were  around  it  as  large  yet 
standing.  It  had  grown  on  a  hard,  gravelly  soil ;  in 
part  it  stood  on  a  rock  and  had  no  root.  Thus 
when  Christians  fall,  it  is  because  they  have  not  been 
suflGiciently  well  rooted  and  grounded." 

r 

"  Aug.  10.  —  A  week  ago  last  evening,  my  brother 
T.  and  wife  arrived  to  make  me  a  visit.  They  left 
here  yesterday  morning,  and  I  accompanied  them  to 
Salem,  introducing  them  to  friends,  and  visiting  with 
them  various  objects  of  curiosity.  It  has  been  a 
pleasant,  a  most  delightful  season.  Thanks  to  God 
for  friendship.  15.  —  Parted  with  my  youngest 
brother.  He  is  now  in  his  senior  year  at  Amherst 
College.  Some  of  my  parishioners  have  dealt  very 
generously  with  him.  I  have  had  religious  comfort 
of  late,  and  yet  great  discomfort.     My  body  is  feeble, 


360  MEMOIR    OF 

my  temper  irritable,  and  my  spirits  desponding.  It 
is  all  a  warfare.  Mercies  surround  me,  yet  trials 
beset  my  Christian  course.  It  is  doubtful  whether  I 
reach  heaven ;  though  the  Lord,  who  has  done  much 
for  me,  can  do  more.  18.  —  My  birthday.  Worked 
on  brother  Lee's  Memoir.  21.  —  I  arose  at  midnight, 
and  laid  my  case  before  God,  and  again  a  little  after 
four,  betook  myself  to  my  secret  retreat  on  a  hill  in  the 
woods.  There  I  confessed  my  sins,  and  prayed  unto^ 
God.  Rejoice  in  him,  O  my  soul ;  lean  on  the  arm 
of  omnipotent  love." 

Having  been  requested  by  people  in  M.  to  prepare 
a  memoir  of  Mr.  Andrew  Lee,  whose  death  has  been 
noticed,  he  prosecuted  the  work  as  pastoral  engage- 
ments would  permit.  It  is  to  this  undertaking  he 
alludes  under  date  of  August  18. 

"  Sept.  8.  —  Have  been  this  week  to  Andover. 
Met  brother  Edwards,  and  told  him  I  would  not 
change  places  with  him.  I  have  a  poor  nervous 
frame,  and  must  make  the  best  of  what  I  am,  the 
grace  of  God  helping  me.  My  soul  —  as  Leighton 
has  described  the  human  heart  —  is  full  of  wild 
beasts."  During  this  month,  he  attended  the  meet- 
ing of  the  American  Board  in  Norwich,  Connecticut. 
Under  date  of  September  14,  while  at  N.,  he  says : 
"  Yesterday  in  the  afternoon,  and  especially  in  the 
evening,  found  much  comfort  in  the  Scripture  state- 
ment, '  If  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  advocate  with 
the  Father.' " 

The  various  sessions  of  the  Board  he  greatly  en- 
joyed, and  speaks  of  being  much  affected,  when  it  was 
announced,  that  at  the  sacramental  scene  there  would 
be  room  for  none  but  communicants.     After  return- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  361 

ing  to  his  home,  he  states  that  more  than  once  he 
had  felt  anew  the  love  of  God,  which  seemed  flow- 
ing into  his  soul,  while  at  N.,  and  that  he  took 
sweet  refuge  in  the  words  of  Scripture  just  quoted ; 
furthermore,  that  he  often  consecrated  himself  afresh 
to  the  service  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  On  his  way- 
home,  he  called  upon  Rev.  Mr.  Abbot,  of  Roxbury, 
in  whose  study  he  thus  wrrote  :  "  I  would  pray  thee, 
O  God,  if  it  be  possible,  to  grant  me  a  double  por- 
tion of  thy  grace.  I  am  very  weak,  and  at  times 
pressed  to  the  earth  with  a  sense  of  my  unfitness  for 
the  gospel  ministry.  O,  nail  me  to  the  blessed  cross. 
Let  my  whole  soul  be  imbued  with  thy  Spirit.  All 
covered  with  sin  and  shame,  I  lay  myself  at  thy  feet, 
adorable  One,  and  if  a  year  from  this  time  shall 
find  me  in  the  world  of  spirits,  may  I  be  with  the 
Redeemer." 

Soon  after  his  return  to  M.  he  wrote  to  his  brother 
T.  and  wife,  who  had  attended  the  meeting  of  the 
Board,  but  were  obliged  to  start  for  their  home 
Friday  morning. 

"  You  left  Norwich  too  soon ;  the  exercises  of  the 
last  hour  and  a  half  were  the  keystone  to  all  the 
rest;  indeed,  all  was  good.  I  am  sorry  you  felt 
obliged  to  leave.  I  preached  on  the  subject  of  mis- 
sions last  Sabbath.  Some  I  presume  thought  me 
severe ;  I  can,  however,  in  review,  think  of  nothing 
to  take  back.  Oh,  my  whole  trouble  is  to  walk  with 
God.  Sin,  sin  rules  in  this  mortal  body.  What 
ennobling  prospects  Christians  have  before  them,  if 
they  will  but  live  in  Christ,  and  labor  for  him.  How, 
O  how  shall  we  gain  a  victory  over  the  world? 
31 


362    '  MEMOIR    OF 

Every  day,  every  moment,  in  respect  to  every  thing, 
I  find  constant  need  of  living  by  faith  on  the  Son  of 
God." 

Journal.  «  Sept.  25.  —  Sabbath.  The  Lord  ap- 
peared to  assist  me.  On  closing  the  services,  I  had 
a  momentary  feeling  of  sadness  and  discouragement ; 
but  immediately,  before  the  congregation  had  left 
the  house,  and  while  I  was  in  the  pulpit,  the  Saviour 
seemed  to  whisper  in  my  ear,  '  Lo,  I  am  with  you 
alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world.'  Gushing 
tears  of  joy  succeeded.  They  had  not  yet  dried 
away,  when  as  I  was  going  out,  a  church  member 
met  me,  and  giving  me  his  hand,  asked,  *  Where 
have  you  been  to  be  thus  kindled  up  ?  '  I  love  the 
missionary  cause  more  and  more.  May  I  learn  to 
live  in  the  exercise  of  a  stronger  and  more  simple 
faith  on  the  Son  of  God.  '  Feel  guilty  that  I  have 
labored  so  little  in  prayer  for  the  salvation  of  the 
souls  of  my  people.  28.  —  Am  anxious  to  live  nearer 
and  nearer  to  Christ.  Pained  to  find  so  little  inter- 
est in  the  Sabbath  school ;  also  to  perceive  a  great 
want  of  it  here  in  the  cause  of  missions." 

In  October,  he  speaks  of  calling  upon  Miss  Pur- 
beck,  the  wonderful  sufferer  of  Salem.  "  Her  sweet- 
ness of  voice,  her  patience,  and  her  exalted  resigna- 
tion and  love,  are  almost  miraculous.  How  much, 
grace  can  do  for  us !  Came  home  yesterday  ;  was 
received  with  great  kindness  and  marked  attention. 
Very  special  pains  have  been  taken  to  soothe  my 
feelings.  I  have  observed  these  attentions,  and  with 
weeping  prayer  besought  God  to  reward  my  bene- 
factors. 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  363 

"  Oct.  19.  —  Not  long  since,  a  sermon  which  I 
preached  on  missions  excited  great  commotion.  I 
had  my  friends  and  supporters,  but  some  thought  me 
overbearing.  Last  Sabbath  in  the  afternoon,  I  gave 
my  views  of  '  Millerism '  —  against  it,  as  a  matter  of 
course ;  and  since  then,  I  have  heard  as  much  said 
in  my  praise.  I  find,  however,  that  a  broadside  of 
commendation  is  much  more  dangerous  for  a  Chris- 
tian than  opposition.  20.  —  Awaked  this  morning 
with  a  strong  tendency  to  hurry  through  or  omit  the 
duty  of  prayer.  So,  then,  because  of  a  little  un- 
guarded sinful  wandering,  merely  in  thought,  I  have 
lost  my  roll,  and  must  go  back,  and  do  my  work  all 
over  again."  27.  —  Speaking  of  a  great  struggle  in 
his  mind,  he  adds :  "  I  felt,  however,  an  inward  call 
to  pray,  and  deliverance  came ;  the  love  of  the  Sa- 
viour flowing  down  into  my  heart  and  filling  it  up. 

28.  —  Christ  appeared  unusually  precious  all  the  day. 

29.  —  Sought  in  my  morning  devotions  for  the  divine 
presence,  as  I  had  it  yesterday,  but  was  burdened 
with  hardness  of  heart. 

"  Nov.  4.  —  Returning  Saturday  on  foot  from  the 
Association  at  Gloucester,  enjoyed  some  sweet  views 
of  divine .  things.  Lay  awake  for  a  long  time  last 
night,  praying  for  the  return  of  God's  presence,  but 
remain  in  darkness;  have  grieved  the  Holy  Spirit. 
7.  —  Still  in  darkness.  I  mourn  the  absence  of  the 
Spirit,  and  groan  out  under  the  pressure  of  a  hard 
and  heavy  heart.  Caught  sight  of  the  Saviour 
yesterday  at  the  communion  table ;  yet  only  as  by 
the  distant  glimpses  of  his  garments,  once,  as  he 
passed  along.     23.  —  My  piety  seems  all  gone. 

"  Dec.  21.  — ■  Last  Sabbath  I  had  great  enjoyment 


364  MEMOIR    OF 

in  the  divine  presence,  which  continued  for  some 
time  into  the  week.  The  Lord  compensated  me  for 
my  severe  external  trials  by  internal  consolations. 
Heard  lately  Rev.  Mr.  Knapp,  Baptist,  preach  in 
Salem.  His  discourse  contained  all  sorts  of  expres- 
sions :  some  pathetic ;  more  ludicrous,  thus  exciting 
laughter.  I  do  not  think  that  he  is  a  very  profitable 
preacher ;  he  did  not  make  a  solemn  impression  on 
me.  27.  —  Was  alone  in  my  study  last  evening, 
meditating  on  salary  difficulties,  when  the  Saviour 
afforded  me  his  presence.  I  feel  this  morning  a  calm 
reliance  on  him  for  the  future. 

"Jan.  1,  1843.  —  A  most  solemn  and  trying  day. 
During  the  week  past,  my  soul  has  been  in  trouble 
on  account  of  a  salary  transaction.  It  cuts  the  cords 
of  sympathy  between  me  and  my  people,  to  find 
them  willing  that  I  should  lose  so  much.  It  un- 
nerves me,  and  destroys  the  power  of  affection.  But 
the  fact  that  I  think  so  much  about  it,  makes  me 
fear  that  I  have  not  been  a  Christian ;  have  not  been 
preaching  for  the  glory  of  God.  What  a  day  of 
tumult  it  has  been !  I  have  had  no  light,  —  though 
struggling  in  prayer,  have  not  been  able  to  get  near 
the  throne  of  grace.  A  sad  way  to  begin  a  new 
year.  2.  —  Was  exhausted  this  morning  from  the 
services  of  yesterday.  Again  in  this  state  of  weak- 
ness, that  money  affair  comes  up.  I  care  more  for 
my  gold  than  for  all  these  souls !  How  unworthy  to 
be  a  minister  I  How  little  devoted  to  Christ !  I 
have  no  light  from  the  Lord's  countenance  !  All,  all 
is  darkness.  9.  —  Some  light  from  on  high.  18.  — 
Appearances  of  a  revival.  At  an  evening  lecture 
many  wept.     But  just  at  this  encouraging  juncture. 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  365 

in  rush  sectarians.^  and  threaten  to  spoil  the  work. 
22.  —  Sabbath.  Was  greatly  assisted  by  the  Lord. 
A  revival  has  commenced  with  power.  26.  —  Feel 
very  weak,  and  inadequate  to  the  mighty  work  and 
the  difficulties  with  which  I  am  surrounded.  The 
field  opens  widely  and  urgently.  Within  me  are 
trials  of  sin  and  without  are  fears ;  but  the  work  is 
the  Lord's;  I  lay  hold  of  the  precious  promises. 
Heaven  is  just  at  hand,  if  I  prove  faithful.  The 
revival  grows  exceedingly  promising  for  the  Sabbath 
school."  Such  was  the  fanaticism  of  many  at  this 
time,  that  Mr.  T.  feared  ruin  might  come  upon  his 
Society.  "  I  must  stand  in  the  Lord ;  there  is  dan- 
ger on  all  hands,  but  he  reigns.  29.  —  Some  very 
hardened  sinners  have,  during  the  past  week,  been 
hopefully  converted.  There  are,  however,  I  can 
plainly  see,  among  the  noisy  class,  many  false  blos- 


At  the  time  of  Mr.  T.'s  settlement,  a  few  individ- 
uals agreed  to  pay  him  one  hundred  dollars  yearly, 
in  addition  to  the  stipulated  salary  of  the  parish. 
The  following  note  was  addressed  to  them,  January 
28,1843:  — 

"  GexNtlemen  :  —  My  ideas  as  to  salary  concerns 
have  not  altered  at  all  since  I  was  settled  as  pastor 
in  this  community.  For  several  months  past,  how- 
ever, it  has  been  a  time  of  great  pecuniary  embar- 
rassment in  this  place,  and  it  still  continues  such. 
Under  these  circumstances,  I  have  thought  it  might 
subserve  the  cause  of  the  Redeemer,  to  remit  the 
$100  due  me  from  your  subscription,  for  the  current 
year,  commencing  with  March  18,  1842.  Accord- 
31* 


366  MEMOIR    OF 

ingly,  I  cheerfully  relinquish  all  claim  to  the  fifty 
doUars  due  me  on  the  18th  of  September  last,  as  also 
to  the  fifty  dollars  which  will  become  due  on  the  18th 
of  March  next,  making  $100,  as  above.  May  this 
act,  when  examined  by  the  eye  of  an  impartial 
Judge,  be  found  to  have  resulted  from  a  purpose  to 
seek  not  yours,  but  you ;  and  prove  to  have  been  the 
means  of  advancing  the  work  of  the  Lord,  so  hap- 
pily prospering  at  the  present  time  among  us.  Gen- 
tlemen, I  remain  yours  wdth  high  esteem." 

By  a  similar  act,  he  yielded  the  same  amount  the 
following  year,  and  subsequently,  it  is  believed,  he 
received  no  part  of  the  extra  hundred  dollars. 

To  his  brother  T.,  Feb.  2,  1843. 

"  I  embrace  a  moment  to  say,  that  for  two  weeks 
past  we  have  been  in  the  midst  of  a  revival,  with  all 
its  scenes  of  joy  and  sorrow.  We  have  had  great 
joy  and  severe  trials,  being  constantly  in  perils  of 
false  brethren.  Millerism  and  almost  every  other 
ism^  are  here.  I  have  to  hold  myself  ready  every  day 
to  be  dismissed.  Pray  for  us,  and  especially  for  me, 
that  I  may  be  faithful,  standing  firm  in  Christ." 

Journal.  Same  date.  —  "  Have  had  some  sweet 
seasons  with  God  this  morning;  but  must  be  pre- 
pared for  a  sudden  dismission.  I  cannot  counte- 
nance these  errorists.  5.  —  The  love  of  God  seemed 
to  overwhelm  me.  Was  almost  overcome  with  it  at 
the  breakfast  table  and  at  family  prayers,  and  just 
ready  once  or  twice  to  break  forth  in  tears  and  audi- 
ble expressions  of  its  boundlessness.     8.  —  I  have  to 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  367 

stand  firm  like  a  rock  in  the  midst, of  billows.  Christ 
is  my  only  refuge,  and  he  does  at  times  smile  upon 
me ;  though  today  I  am  greatly  in  the  dark.  1  wish 
to  be  in  readiness  so  far  as  I  can  from  day  to  day, 
to  leave  this  place.  I  cannot  act  independently  in 
any  other  way.  16.  —  My  spirits  sink  at  times  under 
trials  occasioned  by  fanatical  efforts,  but  for  the  most 
part  I  feel  the  Saviour  specially  near.  There  is  a 
solemn  awe  in  our  meetings,  as  if  God  were  present, 
and  so  there  should  be ;  we  feeling  as  did  Elijah 
when  he  wrapped  his  face  in  his  mantle.  I  do  not 
encourage  the  young  to  speak  so  much  as  these 
errorists  think  desirable."  After  specifying  some  of 
his  perplexities,  he  adds  :  "  How  appropriate  in  these 
tumults  do  I  find  the  divine  promises." 

Few  communities  of  the  same  size  could  furnish 
more  material  for  unhallowed  fire  to  feed  upon  than 
did  Manchester  at  that  period.  The  church  con- 
tained a  gi'eat  mixture  of  characters,  and  sectarian 
zeal  of  the  lowest  order  found  countenance  in  many 
who  belonged  to  it.  On  the  21st  he  says :  "  Com- 
menced the  day  with  strong  endeavors  after  God, 
and  spent  much  of  the  forenoon  in  confessing  my 
own  sins  and  those  of  the  church ;  also  prostrating 
myself  in  prayer  and  resignation.  Received  comfort 
from  above.  Had  encouraging  interviews  with 
young  converts.  26.  —  Sabbath.  Obtained  some 
light  and  fervor  in  prayer  before  going  into  the  sanc- 
tuary. After  meeting,  was  exercised  with  longings 
for  divine  light  and  deliverance  from  temptation. 
Feared,  on  reading  Dr.  Humphrey's  '  Pastoral  Con- 
versations^^ that  I  may  have  failed  to  give  clear  and 
appropriate   directions   to   inquirers.      Was   greatly 


368  MEMOIR    OF 

affected  in  perusing  an  article  in  a  religious  paper 
under  the  caption,  '  Why  should  the  work  stop  ? ' 
Felt  scarcely  fit  to  preach  the  gospel.  28.  —  The 
last  day  of  winter ;  have  had  some  choice  moments 
with  God  in  prayer;  have  desired  to  be  delivered 
from  sin.  Had  been  for  several  days  mostly  cold^ 
but  today  have  been  refreshed. 

"  March  1.  —  Yesterday  it  was  reported  that  a 
comet  had  been  seen  near  the  sun ;  the  Millerites 
were  somewhat  alarmed.  This  afternoon  had  pleas- 
ing conversation  with  young  converts  and  inquirers." 
In  the  evening  he  speaks  of  being  tried  by  disorderly 
conduct  in  a  prayer-meeting;  and  also  on  another 
account ;  but  on  going  to  his  room  and  falling  upon 
his  knees,  divine  light  burst  upon  him.  "  3.  —  The 
Lord  appeared  to  be  in  very  deed  with  me  last  even- 
ing. Jesus  was  exceedingly  near  and  precious.  I 
felt  in  danger  of  spiritual  pride."  As  the  time  of 
the  annual  parish  meeting  approached,  he  received 
various  hints  of  a  painful  nature  concerning  his 
salary,  and  was  much  perplexed.  "  5.  —  Sabbath. 
Awaked  greatly  worried  with  the  subject  of  last 
night.  Found  it  hard  to  exclude  the  topic  from  my 
thoughts.  At  family  prayers,  however,  divine  love 
came  in  floods  over  my  soul.  I  was  almost  in  an 
ecstasy  for  awhile.  Felt  happy  in  baptizing  the 
three  taken  into  the  church.  9.  —  Almost  sunk 
down  with  discouragement.  Had  an  unpleasant 
conversation  on  pecuniary  matters.  10.  —  Am  col- 
lecting statistics  to  show  that  my  salary  is  by  no 
means  extravagant.  Propose  Jo  go  through  all  the 
surrounding  parishes  of  the  Association,  collecting 
facts  bearing  on  this  subject."     When  the  meeting 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  369 

of  the  society  came,  with  its  exciting  and  for  awhile 
discouraging  proceedings,  he  says :  "  God  seemed  to 
spread  his  wing  over  me,  and  to  grant  me  cups  of 
his  own  cordials.  16.  —  Felt  this  morning  as  though 
I  had  been  wounded  by  the  church.  Still  1  rejoice 
that  things  have  come  out  so  well.  Am  cheerful  in 
God.  How  often  have  the  words  been  in  my  mind 
of  late  :  '  Man  would  swallow  me  up.'  Have  thought 
much,  too,  of  Bunyan's  pilgrim.  He  must  keep  in 
the  middle  of  the  road,  for  then  the  lions  chained  on 
each  side  would  do  him  no  harm.  17.  —  The  sweet 
idea  of  a  parish  of  my  own  seems  about  at  an  end, 
and  this  too  after  a  revival.  18.  —  Much  depressed 
today  in  view  of  what  has  been  done.  I  shall  not, 
however,  think  of  leaving  Manchester  so  long  as  the 
Lord  plainly  makes  it  my  duty  to  remain." 

A  terrific  onset,  if  we  mistake  not,  was  made  near 
this  time  in  several  parishes  within  a  few  miles  of 
M.  for  the  reduction  of  pastoral  salaries.  Mr.  T. 
was,  indeed,  not  the  only  sufferer,  yet  probably  on 
account  of  impaired  health  and  nervous  sensitive- 
ness no  pastor  was  more  deeply  pained  by  trials  of 
such  a  nature. 

"  April  4.  —  Last  Saturday  and  Sabbath,  also  up 
to  the  present  time,  have  been  more  than  usually 
oppressed  with  a  sense  of  my  sins ;  feel  ashamed  be- 
fore God.  28.  —  1  seemed  to  have  the  judgment-seat 
before  me  all  this  morning.  The  text  about  con- 
tending earnestly  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the 
saints,  has  presented  itself  to  my  mind  with  such 
force,  that  I  must  take  it  up  for  the  next  Sabbath. 

"  May  3.  —  Half  past  eleven  in  the  evening.     Had 


370  MEMOIR    OP 

retired  to  rest,  but  have  arisen  again,  overflowing 
with  the  precious  love  of  the  Saviour.  No  language 
can  describe  the  sweetness  of  the  sense  of  redeeming 
love,  which  I  have  just  passed  through,  and  in  the 
savor  of  which  I  now  find  myself.  To  pray  and 
weep  and  praise,  has  been  all  which  for  some  min- 
utes I  could  do.  I  would  not  for  the  universe  have 
any  other  will  done  than  the  Lord's.  I  would  not 
have  a  single  stain  of  sin  upon  me.  I  desire  to  melt 
down  in  the  glory  of  the  Infinite.  It  is  amazing 
whence  comes  this  wonderful  enjoyment  of  divine 
things.  Why  should  it  thus  flow  down  into  a  miser- 
able worm?  O!  the  wonders  seen  by  a  few  mo- 
ments' interview  with  God  !  All  is  well ;  all  is  well ; 
to  bow  to  thy  will,  Jehovah,  is  bliss." 

^  To  his  brother  T.  and  wife,  April  6,  1843. 

"  Dear  Brother  and  Sister  :  —  Your  last  should 
have  been  answered  long  before  this,  but  constant 
labor  has  prevented.  We  have  had  a  strange  win- 
ter, —  all  sorts  of  things ;  yet  the  Lord  has  been  with 
us,  in  a  most  emphatic  sense.  Ninety,  we  hope,  are 
converts,  within  the  Sabbath  school.  Nearly  fifty 
of  the  young  were  in  my  room  at  one  time ;  many 
of  them  drowned  in  tears.  I  shall  look  back  upon 
the  winter  as  a  wonderful  one.  We  have  had  bitter 
trials,  indeed,  but  grace,  I  trust,  has  abounded.  My 
health,  until  lately,  has  been  better  than  usual.  I 
have  had  a  bad  headache  since  yesterday,  but  I  wish 
to  converse  with  you  a  little.  I  have  realized  this 
winter,  I  think,  more  than  ever,  the  truth  of  the 
Hebrew   proverb,   n5i:^|]  nin'^.  ina   in    monte   Domini, 


EEV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  371 

providebitur.*  The  end,  indeed,  has  not  yet  come, 
in  all  respects.  I  have  a  comfortable  feeling,  how- 
ever, that  we  shall  come  out  by  and  by  to  where 
daylight  shines :  — 

'  Deus  liaec  fortasse  benigna, 
Keducet  in  sedem  vice/ 

as  Horace  says;  or  to  quote  a  part  of  the  same 
thought,  in  the  beautiful  language  of  Virgil :  — 

Torsan  et  hsec  olim  meminisse  juvabit/ 

or  has  not  Watts  expressed  the  same  thing  in  a  far 
higher  sense :  — 

*  There  on  a  green  and  flowery  mount 

Our  weary  souls  shall  sit, 
And,  with  transporting  joys,  recount 
The  labors  of  our  feet.' 

Only  in  regard  to  his  last  idea,  there  will  be  this  sad 
thing ;  we  shall  probably  have  had  so  little  trouble, 
that  we  shall  be  found  altogether  unworthy  to  asso- 
ciate there  with  those  old  soldiers  of  the  cross  who 
are  all  covered  with  scars,  of  whom  it  will  be  said, 

'  From  tort'ring  racks  and  burning  fires. 
And  seas  of  their  own  blood,  they  came.' 

" '  How  many  glorious  soldiers  of  Christ,'  said  the 
dying  John  Reinhard  Hedlinger,  ^  I  go  to  meet  in 
heaven !  Alas !  I  have  done  very  little  in  this  world. 
All  my  labor  has  been  but  an  infant's  sport,  in  com- 
parison with  theirs.     How  shall   I  dare  to  mingle 

*  "  In  the  mount  of  the  Lord  it  shall  be  seen ;  or  the  Lord  will 
provide."     See  Gen,  xxii.  14. 


372  MEMOIR    OF 

with  those  heroes  of  the  faith,  —  I  who  shall  enter 
the  celestial  abodes  as  a  thing  immature.' " 

To  his  youngest  brother,  May  8,  1843. 

"  Dear  J. :  —  Charles  being  about  to  return  to  col- 
lege I  drop  you  a  line.  Yesterday  was  a  solemn  and 
deeply  interesting  day  with  us;  thirty-four  were 
taken  into  the  church,  eighteen  of  them  being  bap- 
tized at  the  time.  All  of  them  we  may  consider  as 
fruits  of  the  revival  last  winter.  There  are,  perhaps, 
as  many  more  adults  yet  to  come  forward ;  connected 
with  the  Sabbath  school  is  a  large  number  of  chil- 
dren, who  have  expressed  a  hope  in  Christ.  God 
has  done  great  things  for  us.  A  fire  has  burned 
around  us ;  but  we  are  not  consumed. 

"  I  wish  you  to  go  directly  to  Andover,  the  next 
fall,  if  possible ;  and  yet,  should  you  find  a  good  sit- 
uation in  an  academy,  you  would  not  lose  any  thing 
by  teaching  a  year ;  on  the  other  hand,  you  would 
have  a  good  opportunity  to  improve.  It  will  not, 
by  any  means,  be  time  thrown  away,  if  you  only 
continue  to  look  forward  to  the  ministerial  office, 
wherever  you  may  be,  and  consider  yourself  wholly 
pledged  to  the  service  of  God.  Tf  thus  consecrated, 
you  cannot  go  where  you  will  not  find  yourself  in 
your  Master's  vineyard." 

May  12  he  received  a  letter  summoning  him  to 
what  was  supposed  to  be  the  dying  bed  of  his  mo- 
ther. He  went  as  soon  as  possible  to  see  her ;  and 
did  not  know  when  he  reached  the  door  of  her  hab- 
itation whether  she  were  living  or  dead.  Of  his 
entrance  he  thus  speaks  :  "  I  opened  the  door  without 


REV.    OLIVER   A.    TAYLOR.  373 

knocking,  and  there  was  T.  on  one  side  and  his  wife 
on  the  other,  holding  mother's  pillow,  while  some  of 
my  sisters  were  administering  to  her  wants.  Her 
countenance  was  ghastly.  The  first  thing  she  did 
was  to  utter  an  exclamation  of  joy,  and  spread  out 
her  arms  to  receive  me."  Already  had  his  mother 
begun  to  revive.  After  spending  several  days  with 
her  he  commenced  his  return  to  M.  What  his  emo- 
tions were  on  leaving  her  he  has  informed  us  in  his 
journal  kept  at  the  time.  "  I  am  now,  as  I  fear, 
about  bidding  her  a  final  adieu.  We  hope  she  will 
recover ;  she  is,  however,  very  weak,  and  her  disease, 
probably,  deep-seated.  She  is  calm  and  resigned; 
full  of  distrust  of  herself,  yet  possessed  of  much  real 
humble  trust  in  God.  I  am  to  return  to  the  field  of 
my  spiritual  conflict.  I  long  for  the  divine  presence. 
Quarter  of  five,  p.  m.  ;  have  come  up  stairs  into  my 
mother's  little  chamber  to  offer  here  my  last  prayer 
for  the  present,  and  perhaps  forever,  that  the  blessing 
of  God  may  rest  upon  those  of  the  family  whom  I 
am  to  leave  here,  as  well  as  upon  those  who  are  far 
away."  He  makes  a  further  record  after  having 
parted  with  that  beloved  parent.  "  I  sung  to  mother 
the  hymn,  '  Guide  me,  O  thou  great  Jehovah ; '  con- 
versed with  her,  exhorting  her  to  turn  her  eyes  away 
from  herself  to  the  amazing  love  of  God ;  to  move 
the  telescope  around  and  look  through  the  other  end, 
since  if  we  look  on  our  own  demerits  exclusively, 
every  thing  is  discouraging.  With  this  thought 
drawn  out  somewhat  at  large  I  left  her."  The  next 
night  he  passed  in  Ashfield,  with  Rev.  S.  D.  Clark.  It 
seems  to  have  been  one  of  his  exceedingly  dark  sea- 
sons. "  Took  a  walk,"  he  says,  "  in  the  morning 
32 


374  MEMOIR    OF 

before  breakfast,  and  prayed,  but  was  in  great  dark- 
ness." "While  stopping  that  day  a  few  hours  at  his 
sister's  in  South  Deerfield,  he  retired  into  a  neighbor- 
ing grove  and  sought  in  supplications  the  divine 
smiles,  but  found  no  relief.  From  D.  he  went  on 
foot  to  Amherst  College  and  visited  his  youngest 
brother.  He  arose  in  the  night  and  prayed,  and 
finally  obtained  "  some  sweet  sleep."  In  the  morn- 
ing he  speaks  of  endeavoring  to  look  upward.  "  I 
would  not  go  a  step  without  God ;  long  for  his  pres- 
ence ;  only  ask  to  be  swallowed  up  in  him." 

May  27  he  reached  M.  Alluding  to  some  act;  of 
his  own  he  remarks :  "  I  felt  overwhelmed  with  a 
kind  of  horror  lest  I  had  done  wrong.  Jesus,  how- 
ever, has  seemed  to  whisper  peace  in  my  ear.  His 
work  looks  lovely.     I  desire  to  engage  in  it. 

"  June  12.  —  Feel  still  an  ardent  desire  to  be  ab- 
sorbed in  the  glory  of  God.  I  endeavor  to  bear  my 
people  before  the  Lord  for  a  blessing.  My  prayer  is 
that  he  would  prosper  his  own  cause  here,  removing 
every  obstacle  out  of  the  way,  even  if  it  be  myself. 

"July  2. —  Preached  on  the  Catechism  in  the  fore- 
noon, its  history,  etc.  Had  felt  some  anxiety  on  the 
subject.  Was  cold  most  of  the  time.  One  glimpse 
of  heavenly  light  at  the  beginning." 

Extracts  from  a  letter  to  a  friend,  July  7,  1843. 

"  Thus  far  I  wrote  yesterday,  when  something 

occurred  to  prevent  my  proceeding ;  nor  do  I  know 
that  I  can  complete  my  letter  this  morning,  I  am  so 
involved  in  cares.  With  such  a  constant  pressure 
on  one's  mind,-there  is  danger  of  forgetting  God.  I 
start  back  with  horror  at  the  thought  of  such  a  sin. 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  375 

He  has  stood  by  me  in  health  and  in  sickness,  in 
prosperity  and  adversity ;  has  led  me  from  helpless 
infancy  to  manhood ;  has  rescued  me  from  the  depths 
of  sin,  and  often  revived  my  soul  with  his  grace. 
When  I  have  been  oppressed  with  care,  and  sleepless 
at  the  midnight  hour,  he  has  seemed  to  come  and 
soothe  my  troubled  soul.  In  hours  of  overwhelming 
darkness  I  have  -heard  his  voice  saying,  '  Fear  not.' 

"  The  Lord  has  proved  to  me  a  faithful  friend. 
Shall  I  then  leave  him  ?  Shall  I  allow  myself  to  for- 
get his  great  and  holy  name  ?  If  I  know  my  own 
heart,  I  would  not  stray  from  God.  All  my  hopes 
hang  upon  his  smiles.  If  I  love  any  being  it  is  God. 
K I  rejoice  in  any  service  it  is  his.  If  not  deceived, 
my  prayer  at  this  moment  is,  that  I  may  prefer  to  die 
rather  than  disregard  his  glorious  requirements.  If 
the  divine  presence  cannot  attend  us,  we  should  ever 
say,  in  the  words  of  Scripture,  '  Carry  us  not  up 
hence.'  See  the  hymn  in  Watts  beginning  '  How 
full  of  anguish  is  the  thought.' 

"  I  have  longed  at  times  of  late  intensely  for  the 
presence  of  God.  I  wish  to  walk  continually  in  the 
light  of  his  countenance.  If  there  is  any  one  request 
which  I  would  specially  urge  at  this  time,  it  is  that 
all  dear  to  me  may  be  wholly  his." 

To  the  same,  July  25. 

"  How  invaluable  is  time !     If  there  be  any 

thing  on  earth  of  which,  in  health,  I  am  avaricious, 
it  is  time.  The  individual  who  steals  it  from  mc,  I 
consider  as  robbing  me  of  a  most  precious  jewel, — 
what  he  cannot  restore.  I  love  my  friends,  I  rejoice 
in  social  intercourse ;  and  yet  I  find  I  must  often  be 


376  MEMOIR    OF 

nninterrapted,  if  I  would  accomplish  any  thing. 
*  Here  is  a  room  for  you,'  I  feel  compelled  to  say  to 
many  a  friend ;  and  generally  to  agents,  '  here  is  a 
room  for  you,  and  books  at  your  service ;  but  me  you 
must  excuse.'  I  hold  myself  ready  to  see  my  people 
at  all  times,  and  wait  upon  them  with  kindness ;  and 
yet  it  is  understood  among  them  that  my  forenoons 
are  not  ordinarily  to  be  much  disturbed." 

August  10  he  attended  Commencement  at  Am- 
herst College.  From  his  notes  on  the  occasion  we 
quote  the  following :  "  It  was  a  solemn  and  inter- 
esting moment  to  me  when  my  brother  J.,  the  last  of 
the  widow's  four  sons,  walked  up  to  the  president, 
with  six  others,  and  received  from  him  the  degree  of 
A.  B.  I  could  not  wholly  restrain  my  tears.  Spent 
the  evening  at  Dr.  Humphrey's;  thanked  him  for 
what  he  had  done  in  educating  my  three  brothers." 
August  18  brought  him  again  to  his  birthday.  He 
says  the  Saviour  appeared  very  near  early  in  the 
morning,  but  at  the  breakfast  table  he  found  himself 
irritable,  and  resorted  to  prayer  for  rehef.  On  the 
31st  he  spent  much  of  the  morning  in  the  woods  sup- 
plicating God's  mercy.  Of  his  mental  state  he  thus 
speaks :  "  Felt  inexpressibly  unworthy ;  deep  gulfs 
seemed  opening  all  around  me.  It  is  certain  that 
nothing  short  of  Almighty  power,  drawing  me  as  a 
brand  from  the  burning,  can  ever  save  me."  At  the 
close  of  this  day  which  was  the  Sabbath,  he  says : 
"  While  I  was  in  the  pulpit  I  felt  as  if  the  thunder- 
bolts of  heaven  might  justly  fall  upon  me." 

Early  in  September  we  find  him  deeply  distressed 
in  view  of  his  nervous  irritability.     "  I  almost  feel  as 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  377 

if  God  would  find  it  necessary  to  do  up  his  work 
with  me  here  on  earth  very  soon.  Life  is  with  me 
all  the  way  along  a  Waterloo  battle.  How  little  most 
people  know  of  these  fearful  conflicts.  Not  to  feel 
miserable  is  at  times  wholly  out  of  my  power."  For 
some  time  he  remained  in  great  horror  of  mind. 
When  relieved  he  says :  "  The  Lord  had  given  me 
premonitions  that  I  had  a  dreadful  scene  of  tempta- 
tion to  go  through  —  and  in  the  midst  of  it  every 
thing  seemed  against  me.  Twice  or  thrice  I  opened 
the  Bible  to  these  words,  '  Behold  your  house  is  left 
unto  you  desolate.'  Now  the  Saviour  is  very  near, 
and  his  love  exceedingly  precious.  I  shall  not  die, 
but  live.  O  how  dreadful  the  frown  of  God !  I  have 
seen  hell  before  me;  I  have  had  a  glance  at  its 
flames,  and  they  are  indescribably  awful." 

To  Rev.  J.  F.  Stearns,  Sept.  5,  1843. 

"My  dear  Friend;  —  I  rejoice  to  find  that  you 
have  not  yet  forgotten  me,  and  I  feel  much  obliged 
to  you  for  the  document  you  forwarded,  as  also  for 
all  the  good  wishes  you  express  for  my  future  happi- 
ness, and  that  of ;  for  it  is  a  true  report  which 

you  have  heard  in  this  respect.  It  is  not  without 
anxiety  that  I  look  forward  to  the  change.  I  am 
greatly  dissatisfied  with  myself  as  a  man,' — I  feel 
that  I  am  full  of  imperfections.  In  me  the  sensibili- 
ties preponderate  over  the  intellect.  There  is  too 
great  a  measure  of  sensitiveness  and  nervous  power. 
Hence  the  will  is  weak.  Persons  of  such  tempera- 
ments are  usually  more  or  less  defective,  and  are  ex- 
posed to  severe  temptations  and  trials;  —  they  are 
continually  bringing  sufferings  upon  themselves,  from 
32* 


378  MEMOIR    OF 

the  exercise  of  the  imagination  —  which  is  over  active 
in  such  cases  —  or  in  some  other  way.  My  feelings 
are  crossed ;  phrenologically  speaking,  destructiveness 
is  aroused,  and  I  utter  perhaps  a  sharp  word ;  in- 
stantly, however,  that  wave  of  excitement  rolls  off, 
and  passes  away ;  then  comes  another  of  a  directly 
opposite  description.  The  organ  of  benevolence  is 
wrought  upon.  1  have  wounded  a  friend^  and  dis- 
honored the  cause  of  religioyi.  Now  my  soul  is  in- 
stantly bowed  down  with  this  thought.  For  a  whole 
day,  at  least,  I  must  go  mourning  over  my  unhappy 
liabilities  to  yield  in  the  moment  of  temptation. 
Such  a  character,  in  part,  was  Robert  Burns.  Read 
*  His  Life,  by  James  Currie,'  ed.  Phil.  1829,  vol.  2, 
p.  63,  and  on ;  his  powers  and  faculties  were  not  well 
balanced.  Such  persons  lack  self-possession.  Edu- 
cation and  especially  religion  may  do  much  for  them ; 
but  after  all,  they  have  a  case  of  sharp  instruments 
about  them,  which  it  is  difficult  to  handle,  without 
cutting  at  least  themselves,  and  often  others.  The 
consciousness  of  these  my  imperfections,  brother  J., 
has  cost  me  an  innumerable  number  of  tears,  and 
prayers  to  God  for  grace,  and  has  often  rendered  life 
a  burden.  Sometimes  I  have  doubted  whether  such 
a  character  ought  ever  to  be  inducted  into  the  sacred 
office ;  for  every  public  man,  especially  every  minis- 
ter of  the  gospel  should  attain  to  great  self-control. 
Indeed,  those  destitute  of  it,  those  who  cannot  bear 
wrong  —  with  patience  —  wrong  in  every  shape,  are 
unfit  for  any  public  station.  I  fear  that  those  who 
shall  come  in  close  contact  with  me,  will  always  have 
much  to  forgive.  And  then,  how  great  must  be  the 
compassion  of  God  towards  such  an  offender!     I 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  379 

apologize  not  for  this  unhappy  temperament.  It  may- 
have  been  induced  by  habit ;  or  if  not,  it  might  with 
proper  attention  in  early  life,  have  been  subdued  by 
a  religious  control ;  the  love  of  God,  constantly  pres- 
ent, reduces  every  thing  into  a  hallowed  state. 

How  heavy  a  burden  will  the  Holy  Spirit  find  for 
his  wing,  in  soaring  with  such  a  one  up  to  the  gate 
of  heaven !  And  yet  I  am  about  to  enter  into  the 
marriage  relation,  to  unite  myself  to  one  whom  I 
shall  promise  to  cherish.  The  Lord  has  drawn  me 
on,  step  by  step,  in  his  providence.  He  has  sent  me 
one  for  whom  I  feel  the  strongest  attachment,  with 
whom  it  seems  to  me  I  shall  love  to  walk  in  the  path 
of  holiness  —  one  who  loves  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
Considering  my  own  weakness  and  unworthiness ; 
my  love  for  her,  and  desire  for  her  happiness,  I  have 
at  times  felt  that  it  would  be  almost  wrong  to  bring 
her  into  companionship  with  such  a  one  as  myself. 
And  yet  I  have  been  guided  from  above  —  it  seems 
to  me  —  so  evidently,  that  this  step  has  been  deter- 
mined on.  In  regard  to  the  course  she  will  pursue, 
I  have  no  fears ;  she  is  the  choice  of  my  heart.  As 
to  myself,  I  have  many  ;  and  yet  looking  upward  for 
grace,  I  may  follow  on  where  Providence  leads.  The 
Lord  bless  thee  and  thine.     Farewell." 

In  September  Mr.  T.  made  a  tour  to  Saratoga 
Springs,  Schenectady,  etc.  The  three  letters  which 
are  here  inserted,  were  written  to  Mrs.  Caroline  H. 
Taylor,  wife  of  his  brother  T.,  while  she  and  an  only 
sister  were  at  Saratoga  Springs,  a  few  weeks  for  their 
health. 


380  MEMOIR    OP 

"Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  19,  1843. 

"  Dear  Sister  C.  :  —  May  I  burden  your  ear  this 
morning  with  my  complaints?  You  have  ever 
shown  yourself  very  kind  —  perhaps  it  may  relieve 
me  for  a  few  moments.  I  came  away  from  Saratoga 
in  a  storm.  The  lightnings  played  around  the  en- 
gine, as  the  carman  told  me ;  and  I  saw  them,  flash- 
ing through  the  sky  most  vividly,  while  the  thunder 
was  heard  at  times,  in  crashes,  above  the  noise  around 
me.  The  storm,  however,  without,  was  compara- 
tively nothing  to  that  which  was  within.  I  thought 
the  waters  of  S.  had  helped  me,  but  now  fear  other- 
wise. My  sad  dyspeptic  state  did  not  relax  till  near 
nine  o'clock  last  evening,  when  I  began  to  feel  better. 
I  have  it  on  me,  however,  this  morning ;  it  renders 
every  scene  dreary.  Nature  is  cheering  and  bright, 
and  every  thing  external  is  at  present  adapted  to  an- 
imate me ;  besides,  I  have  a  comfortable  hope  in 
Christ,  and  many  dear  friends.  Withal,  I  regard  it 
as  one  of  the  most  pleasing  incidents,  that  I  met  with 
you  and  your  sister  at  the  Springs.  At  family  pray- 
ers this  morning,  the  arms  of  Infinite  Love  seemed 
around  me,  and  they  do  so  still.  O,  what  a  Saviour ! 
Can  a  mother  forget  ?  yes,  she  may,  *  yet  will  I  not 
forget  thee. —  I  have  graven  thee  upon  the  palms  of  my 
hands.'  —  These  dyspeptics  are  the  most  miserable  of 
beings  ;  they  grieve  the  Holy  Spirit ;  they  try  the  pa- 
tience of  their  friends;  and  prey  upon  their  own 
souls.  Friendship  they  desire  and  seek,  yet  repel  ev- 
ery friend.  They  are  good  for  nothing  in  company. 
How  I  have  served  you  this  morning !  I  thought  I 
would  send  you  a  bouquet^  and  of  what  have  I  made 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  381 

it  ?  Of  thistles,  deadly  nightshade,  wolfsbane,  poi- 
sonous hemlock,  etc.,  when  I  might  have  selected 
roses,  lilies,  nymphaeas,  tulips,  dahlias,  and  all  that  is 
fragrant.  I  am  like  those  enchanted  persons  in  the 
Arabian  Nights'  Entertainment,  who  find  themselves 
transformed  into  irrational  animals,  who  have  all  the 
feelings  of  their  humanity,  with  nothing  but  the  in- 
capacity of  the  brute.  Were  not  those  Arabs  dys- 
peptics ;  that  is,  those  who  invented  these  stories  ? 
But  I  am  growing  brighter  and  brighter;  I  hope  I 
shall  conquer  this  demon  yet." 

To  the  same,  a  few  days  later,  dated  Springfield, 
Massachusetts. 

"  Soon  after  writing  you  my  last,  I  made  various 
calls  on  old  friends  in  Schenectady,  and  came  to 
Troy  the  same  day.  On  the  day  following,  I  sailed 
down  the  Hudson  river,  and  the  scene  was  to  me 
charming.  I  cannot  describe  it.  The  only  thing  re- 
sembling it,  that  I  remember  ever  to  have  seen, 
was  an  exhibition  of  the  Enchanted  Island.  Yester- 
day, I  came  from  New  York  to  Hartford,  taking  tea 
with  Mr.  Gallaudet  —  in  whose  family  I  was  a 
boarder  some  years  since  —  and  enjoyed  a  short  in- 
terview with  Dr.  Hawes.  Nothing  has  been  wanting 
to  render  the  excursion  delightful,  but  better  health, 
and  a  greater  proportion  of  congenial  company.  Yet 
I  have  enjoyed  the  society  of  quite  a  number  of  very 
entertaining  and  distinguished  individuals.  At  pres- 
ent, the  day  is  truly  fine,  and  I  feel  much  better  than 
at  any  time  since  I  left  you.  Were  you  here  now, 
I  should  certainly  be  quite  sociable  and  chatty.     A 


382  MEMOIR    OF 

curious  scene  occurred  as  we  were  passing  through 
Windsor  Locks.  A  woman  was  brought  on  board, 
apparently  senseless,  and  then  another,  and  yet  another. 
The  last  two  seemed  either  lifeless  or  deranged,  and 
-the  other  not  much  better.  Soon  after  a  delirious, 
emaciated  man  was  brought  on  board.  These  four 
were  the  fruits  of  a  Millerite  meeting  which  has 
been  held  in  the  vicinity  for  about  a  week  past.  I 
went  down  into  the  cabin  among  them,  and  they 
hailed  me  as  a  brother.  They  were  going  up  soon 
to  meet  Christ,  and  I  was  to  go  with  them." 

To  the  same,  dated  Manchester,  Sept.  27. 

"  What  friends  I  found  waiting  for  me  on  my  ar- 
rival home  —  one  letter  from  your  husband,  two  from 

M ,  and  two  from  yourself,  with  some  others, 

seven  in  all.  It  was  specially  kind  in  you  to  take 
me  so  affectionately  by  surprise.  I  met  with  a  seri- 
ous accident,  —  shall  I  call  it,  —  on  returning  from 
depositing  a  letter  for  you  in  the  post-office  at 
Springfield.  I  lost  my  ball  of  Saratoga  battle-ground 
memory,  which  you  gave  me  while  we  were  together 
near  that  field  of  blood.  After  entering  the  cars,  also, 
I  saw  more  of  Millerism.  One  of  its  disciples 
swooned  away  in  a  fit  soon  after  he  embarked.  I 
was  grieved  on  reaching  Beverly,  and  finding  I  might 
just  as  well  have  remained  another  week  with  you  at 
the  Springs,  that  I  had  not  done  it.  My  people  had 
obtained  a  good  supply  for  the  ensuing  Sabbath. 
Sectarians,  however,  have  made  an  attack  upon  us. 
I  had  a  private  interview  with  their  leader  a  few  days 
since,  and  told  him  that  as  I  did  not  think  the  gospel 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  383 

was  preached  by  the  Millerites,  I  should  have  no  ob- 
jections to  his  attempting  to  proselyte  them^  but  it 
would  be  entirely  wrong  for  him  to  endeavor  to  divide 
my  people ;  to  attempt  it  would  exhibit  a  bad  trait 
in  his  own  character,  and  in  that  of  his  denomina- 
tion ;  that  we  all  ought  to  rise  infinitely  above  such 
contractedness.  How  much  faith  the  Church  needed 
when  in  the  midst  of  heathenism,  and  how  much  less 
does  she  need  now?^  Her  enemies  are  at  present 
more  subtle,  though  not  less  numerous.  My  spirits 
were  good  on  my  return,  and  so  continued  until  a 
nearly  empty  parish  treasury  brought  on  a  dyspeptic 
fit,  and  completely  drove  away  sleep  and  rest ;  but 
good  aunt  L.,  with  tears  and  prayers  says,  all  will 
yet  go  right,  repeating,  '  What  is  that  to  thee,  follow 
thou  me.' " 

To  his  mother,  Oct.  16. 

"  Trials  come  thick  and  fast.  Yet  there  is  a  rock 
which  no  billows  can  touch,  an  anchor  which  never 
breaks,  a  pilot  infallible.  If  we  have  a  well  grounded 
hope,  if  we  are  affiliated  to  God,  all  is  well.  How 
many  clouds  come  rapidly  over  the  believer's  little 
heaven ;  but  far  off",  in  the  horizon,  methinks  I  see  a 
piece  of  sky,  the  openings  of  eternity,  the  dawnings 
of  bright  glory.  I  hold  on  to  the  Christian  hope. 
My  trust  is  in  God  alone.  I  have  no  confidence  in 
any  thing  which  is  merely  earthly.  If  I  have  any 
thing  it  is  my  Saviour.  If  I  long  for  any  thing,  it  is 
his  image.  If  I  thirst  for  any  thing,  it  is  for  the  liv- 
ing fountain  of  God's  infinite  love.  I  lay  myself 
down  at  the  feet  of  Immanuel.     I  take  repose  under 


384  MEMOIR    OF   REV.   0.   A.   TAYLOR. 

his  wing.  I  have  destroyed  myself,  but  in  him  is 
my  hope.  If  I  am  a  child  of  God,  then  angels  are 
around  me,  and  will  bear  me  up  in  their  hands.  O  ! 
to  be  devoted  to  his  service,  to  be  wrapped  up  in  his 
glory." 


CHAPTER   X. 

PASTORAL    LIFE    FROM    NOVEMBER,    1843,    TILL 
JANUARY,     1847. 

November  8,  1843,  Mr.  Taylor  was  married 
to  Miss  Mary  Cleaveland,  daughter  of  Nehemiah 
Cleaveland,  M.  D.,  late  of  Topsfield,  Massachusetts. 
The  ceremony  took  place  at  the  maternal  residence 
in  T.,  and  immediately  after,  he  with  his  wife  visited 
his  eldest  brother,  in  Slatersville,  Rhode  Island. 

It  would  be  improper  to  dwell  at  present  on  the 
influence  which  this  new  relation  exerted  upon  him,, 
further  than  to  say,  that  it  was  most  happy.  He 
was  wont  to  speak  of  his  wife  as  "  the  precious  gift 
of  his  God  to  him.-^ 

In  his  journal,  November  19,  he  alludes  to  the  new 
circumstances  in  which  he  is  placed.  "  Our  first 
Sabbath  together  at  home.  I  began  the  day  with 
heavenly  emotion,  but  wandered  away  in  the  course 
of  it  from  the  fountain  of  divine  truth.  I  forget  the 
Giver  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  gift." 

Soon  after  his  marriage  the  widowed  mother  of 
his  wife  became  a  member  of  the  family,  remaining 
in  it  till  the  time  of  her  decease. 

On  the  28th  of  the  month  above  named  he  ob- 
serves :  "  Have  come  up  to  my  study  to  prepare  for 
Thanksgiving.     Mercies  surround  me. 
33 


386  MEMOIR    OF 

"Dec.  31.  —  The  last  sun  of  1843  has  just  gone 
down  behind  the  hills.  The  past  year  has  been  one 
of  unusual  blessings  to  me,  also  one  of  great  sins  on 
my  part.  My  mind  stretches  forward  inquiringly 
into  the  future,  asking  where  this  day  twelvemonth 
will  find  me." 

Sabbath,  January  21,  1844,  he  spent  in  Hamilton 
on  an  exchange.  While  walking  there  the  day  pre- 
vious on  the  icy  ground,  facing  a  bleak  wind,  he 
became  sad,  and  in  view  of  eternal  things  very  sol- 
emn. Some  hasty  remark  of  his  own  preyed  upon 
his  spirits.  He  thus  describes  his  feelings :  "  I  felt 
that  I  had  sinned  against  the  holy  angels  and  the 
spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect  in^  heaven,  with 
whom  I  hope  to  associate  after  death,  all  whose 
affections  are  kindness,  forbearance,  tenderness,  and 
love.  I  felt  that  I  had  sinned  against  my  blessed 
Redeemer,  who  died  for  me." 

At  H.  he  read  in  the  life  of  President  Edwards, 
and  also  in  some  other  impressive  work,  and  was 
deeply  affected.  He  observes :  "  I  felt  myself  un- 
worthy to  be  a  minister.  I  greatly  feared  that  Christ 
would  turn  me  out  at  least  of  my  present  situation, 
on  account  of  my  unworthiness ;  —  it  seemed  to  be 
a  great  and  exalted  privilege  to  preach  the  gospel. 
When  the  hour  of  morning  service  arrived,  I  arose 
and  went  to  the  sanctuary,  thinking  that  God  had 
conferred  on  me  an,  unspeakable  favor  in  allowing 
me  another  opportunity  to  proclaim  his  truth." 

"  Feb.  11.  —  Sabbath.  Began  the  day  with  a  feel- 
ing of  great  spiritual  weakness ;  but  have  some  evi- 
dence that  the  labors  of  the  day  have  not  been  in 
vain.     13.  —  Felt  for  my  people.     It  seemed  good  to 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  387 

pray ;  knew  not  how  to  cease  from  my  supplications. 

I  am  tried  about ,  a  promising  boy  who  recites 

to  me.  Thursday  29.  —  On  Tuesday  we  were  called 
to  Topsfield  to  attend  the  funeral  of  a  relative  of  my 
wife.  Was  blocked  up  there  some  hours.  Visited 
Boston.  Walked  home  from  Beverly.  Wrote  a 
letter  to  my  wife,  who,  with  the  horse  and  chaise,  is 
detained  by  snow  at  T." 

To  his  brother  T.  and  wife,  February  19,  1844. 

"  I  am  glad,  dear  brother  and  sister,  that  Mary  has 
expressed  a  wish  that  you  will  write  us  soon  ;  for  we 
have,  some  how  or  other,  put  off  writing,  until  we 
have  become  anxious  to  hear  from  you.  Things 
move  on  here  much  as  usual,  that  is,  some  nsnals. 
We  have  two  kinds  of  winters  in  M.,  one  in  which 
all  is  religion;  another  in  which  all  is  something 
else.     This  is  a  something'  else  winter, 

"  My  sermon,  yesterday,  was  on  the  work  of  the 
Spirit.  He  convinces ;  he  leads  to  Christ  for  justifica- 
tion ;  he  sanctifies,  enabling  us  to  turn  from  sin,  to 
engage  in  holy  duties,  to  meet  every  emergency,  to 
watch  and  pray  always,  to  obtain  divine  consolation, 
to  overcome  the  world.  He  is  also  carrying  on  the 
work  of  regenerating  the  world.  In  conclusion,  I 
stated,  1.  That  there  is  only  so  much  rehgion  in  the 
heart  and  in  the  church  as  there  is  of  the  Spirit's 
influence ;  2.  The  church  as  a  whole,  and  Christians 
individually,  are  useful  in  proportion  as  they  have 
the  Spirit ;  3.  We  should  most  carefully  honor  the 
Holy  Spirit;  4.  To  do  this  we  must  seek  for  him 
in  the  way  of  God's  appointing ;  5.  There  is  abun- 


388  MEMOIR    OF 

dant  encouragement  to  do  so.     What  a  noble  pas- 
sage on  the  Spirit  is  Eph.  iii.  14—19. 

"  We  often  speak  of  our  pleasant  visit  with  you,  a 
few  days  last  autumn,  —  shall  not  soon  forget  it. 
May  the  candle  of  the  Lord  shine  on  your  heads, 
and  heavenly  blessings  richly  attend  you.  Our  kind 
remembrances  to  our  acquaintances  in  S." 

Journal.  "  April  14.  —  Sabbath.  Awaked  early, 
and  walking  for  the  first  time  this  spring  to  the  top 
of  '  Moses'  Hil^  betook  myself  to  prayer  in  an  old 
resort.  Found  my  thoughts  tumultuous,  and  expe- 
rienced much  difficulty  in  getting  near  the  throne  of 
grace."  Referring  to  difficulties  in  his  parish  about 
his  salary  he  says :  "  I  am  looking  at  all  sides  of  the 
question  to  find  out  the  path  of  duty.  I  am  afraid 
lest  selfishness  should  sway  me.  I  wish  to  see  and 
act  as  in  the  light  of  eternity.  This  is,  perhaps,  the 
last  Sabbath  that  I  am  to  be  here  as  pastor.  It  tries 
me  when  I  think  into  what  unpleasant  circumstances 
my  dismissal  would  bring  my  wife  and  her  mother. 
The  forty-sixth  Psalm  is  my  refuge.  Hope  God  will 
enable  me  to  preach  with  firmness  to-day.  29. — 
Monday.  At  Essex.  Coming  out  of  the  meeting- 
house in  this  place  yesterday  afternoon  I  met  a 
young  lady  in  mournings  who  said  she  was  from 
Rockport,  adding,  '  You  preached  there  a  few  Sab- 
baths since,  and  my  father,  deacon  B.,  seventy-two 
years  of  age,  was  so  much  interested  in  your  preach- 
ing during  the  day,  that  he  said  he  must  hear  you  in 
the  evening.  Stepping  by  mistake  into  an  open 
cellar- way,  he  received  such  an  injury  that  he  died 


REV.    OLIVER   A.    TAYLOR.  389 

the  following  Thursday*' "  Deacon  B.  had  not 
usually  gone  out  at  night.  We  suppose  he  was 
returning, 

"April,  1844. 

"  Dear  Sister  Martha  :  —  Yesterday  was  our 
Fast-day^  and  I  preached  on  Capital  Punishment. 
This  is  an  age  of  tearing  in  pieces  —  the  ivisest  gen- 
eration that  ever  lived  —  knowing  far  more  than  the 
antediluvians,  who  continued  on  earth  nine  hundred 
years,  accumulating  knowlege.  They  know  so  much 
—  the  young  satraps  of  the  present  age  —  that  their 
fathers  knew  absolutely  nothing.  For  my  part,  I 
have  no  sympathy  with  this  sort  of  feeling.  I  have 
no  idea  that  our  fathers  were  fools ;  nor  do  I  believe 
that  we  are  the  men  altogether,  and  that  wisdom  will 
die  with  us.  "Why  should  all  things,  civil  and 
moral,  be  so  fluctuating  ?  The  sun  rises  and  sets 
just  as  it  did  six  thousand  years  ago.  The  springs 
bubble  up  now  as  formerly,  and  the  rivers  obey 
the  same  laws.  There  is  no  new  way  of  getting 
to  heaven ;  the  one  of  which  Bunyan  speaks  is  the 
way  cast  up  by  Christ,  and  pointed  out  by  his 
apostles.  Let  me  walk  in  this  old  road.  I  always 
come  out  badly,  when  I  take  a.  new  one.  Some 
years  since,  when  I  was  teaching  in  the  Seminary  at 
Andover,  I  was  invited  to  preach  in  Newburyport. 
It  was  in  the  Spring ;  there  had  been  a  thaw,  but 
snow  still  lay  on  the  ground.  If  I  should  return  by 
the  best  road,  1  must  pass  through  a  turnpike  gate 
with  a  horse  and  chaise ;  this  would  cost  me  some- 
thing. And  yet  I  wished  to  be  back  at  A.  early  in 
the  morning  to  hear  my  class.  There  was  another 
33* 


390  MEMOIR    OP 

way,  I  was  told,  just  as  near.  I  was  in  haste,  to  be 
sure ;  but  thought  there  would  be  little,  if  any  haz- 
ard, in  taking  the  latter.  I  could  inquire  as  I  should 
pass  along.  But  soon  I  came  across  a  doubtful  road ; 
I  took  it,  but  it  became  worse  and  worse  as  I  pro- 
ceeded ;  it  led  me  into  a  swamp.  I  met  with  snow- 
drifts, frozen  so  hard  that  the  horse  could  not  get 
through  them ;  and  also  a  brook,  almost  a  river ;  the 
bridge  planks  of  which  had  been  swept  away  some 
distance  down  the  stream.  I  must  either  go  back -a 
dreadful  route,  turning  around  in  a  place  of  almost 
impossibilities,  or  repair  the  bridge ;  which  last  I  did, 
bringing  the  planks  back.  To  shorten  the  story,  I  at 
length  became  disentangled  and  reached  home ;  but 
from  that  time  made  up  my  mind  always  to  take  the 
turnpike,  and  pay  the  toll,  when  I  wish  to  make  haste. 
The  new-road  and  toll-saving  theologians  and  poli- 
ticians will,  I  think,  come  out  no  better  in  the  end 
than  I  did." 

Journal.  "  May  17.  —  Sat  down  yesterday  to  plan 
a  sermon  on  the  doctrine  of  the  decrees;  found 
trouble  and  knew  not  what  to  do  with  them.  To- 
day the  doctrine  came  over  me  with  great  interest, 
and  brought  joy  with  it." 

Under  the  last  date,  having  recorded  the  death  of 
a  female,  he  says  :  "  I  have  often  conversed  with  her ; 
and  she  would  ask,  who  made  God  ?  Poor  woman ! 
I  have  never  attempted  to  reason  with  an  individual 
more  decidedly  sceptical  and  wild.  She  was  one  of 
a  cluster  of  infidels  in  this  place.  During  the  last 
four  days  of  her  life  she  did  not  sleep  at  all,  and  was 
greatly  agitated,  saying  to  her  daughter,  thei'e  is  an- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  391 

other  scene  after  this.''''  He  adds  :  "  O  my  soul,  come 
not  thou  into  their  secret ;  unto  their  assembly  mine 
honor  be  not  thou  united." 

Extracts  from  letters  to  his  wife,  written  at  Boston, 
anniversary  week,  May,  1844. 

"  Looking  at  Allston's  Belshazzar  yesterday,  I  was 
struck  with  his  Daniel  addressing  the  trembling  king, 
(while  the  anxious  queen-mother  looks  on,)  pointing 
at  the  same  time  towards  the  hand,  writing  those 
luminous  characters.  He  is  tall,  erect,  independent, 
majestic,  severe,  awful  —  you  feel  that  he  is  the  man 
of  God,  not  afraid  of  kings  or  their  courts.  In  the 
background  appears  Nebuchadnezzar's  image.  We* 
see  tables,  also  servants,  among  whom  are  pious 
Jewish  damsels.  There  are  the  disappointed  and 
amazed  magicians.  The  queen  attracts  our  notice 
by  her  appearance  of  fixed  and  absorbed  attention. 
It  is,  however,  the  noble  form  of  Daniel  that  stays 
by  me.  It  brings  his  goodness  and  firmness  at  that 
corrupt  court  immediately  before  me ;  it  calls  up  the 
words,  *  O,  man  greatly  beloved,'  and  makes  me  long 
to  become  like  him.  Goodness  can  be  painted,  if 
thunder  cannot.  I  visited  this  painting  again  in  the 
afternoon  —  but  enough. 

—  "I  had  been  invited  to  attend  a  prayer-meeting. 
I  had,  also,  heard  much  of  the  powers  of  the  violin, 
especially  in  connection  with  the  performances  of 
Paganini.  I  could  then  hear  a  distinguished  man, 
but  would  it  be  proper  ?  I  concluded  to  go.  I  found 
not  Ole  Bull,  but  Vieux  Temps,  with  his  sister  and 
the  Misses  Garcia.  I  was  struck  with  the  skill. 
The    Garcias   sung   most   delightfully — the  words 


392  MEMOIR    OF 

were  Italian.  Generally,  however,  there  was  noth- 
ing but  the  music ;  which,  without  words,  to  me,  has 
no  soul.  The  house  was  thin,  and  the  audience 
mostly  foreigners.  I  was  impressed  more  and  more 
with  the  danger  of  city  temptations.  I  spent  my 
time  in  ruminating  on  the  folly  of  man.  I  asked 
myself,  have  these  persons  souls  ?  Oh,  how  hollow 
these  things  look  to  me!  As  I  came  home,  the 
prayer-meeting  flashed  across  my  mind.  I  thought 
also  of  the  portrait  of  Daniel,  whom  I  had  seen 
standing  firm  at  the  court  of  Babylon.  On  the 
whole,  I  condemned  myself  for  going,  but  thought 
my  motives  were  good." 

In  July  his  brother  R.  from  New  Jersey,  made  him 
a  visit,  spending  a  Sabbath  and  preaching  for  him. 
The  interview  was  one  of  great  enjoyment  to  them 
both.  Just  as  R.  took  his  leave,  the  elder  brother 
makes  this  record :  "  The  Lord  bless  him  and  make 
us  useful  to  each  other ;  also  in  the  church. 

"  Aug.  13.  —  Made  calls  with  my  wife  on  brothers 
Kelly,  Fitz,  Crowell,  and  Jewett.  Mrs.  T.  went  into 
the  burying-ground  at  Essex,  to  visit  the  grave  of 
her  grandmother,  whose  funeral  she  attended  when 
eight  years  of  age.  She  had  not  before  been  there 
since  she  witnessed  the  interment,  and  her  father, 
also  other  friends  now  deceased,  stood  there  with 
her.  The  intervening  time  seemed  to  her  annihi- 
lated, and  she  was  deeply  affected. 

«  Oct.  22.  —  Brother  Elisha  Cleaveland  left  us  to- 
day. We  have  had  a  very  pleasant  visit  from  him. 
He  preached  for  me  on  Friday,  the  11th,  on  the 
Sabbath  the  13th,  Friday  the  18th,  and  Monday  the 


KEY.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  393 

21st.  We  have  lovely  relatives  throughout  the  whole 
circle. 

"  Nov.  4.  —  Took  my  leave  of  Captain  Richard 
Trask,  he  being  about  embarking  for  a  voyage.  I 
told  him  I  regretted  to  have  him  leave  us,  and  on 
our  shaking  hands  I  said  to  him,  I  hope  you  will  be 
blessed ;  adding,  your  departure  makes  me  think  of 
the  last  voyage  which  we  all  must  make.  He  said 
nothing,  but  as  he  turned  away  in  silence,  I  followed 
him  with  my  eyes  and  saw  the  tears  falling  from  his 
face." 

Soon  after  the  death  of  Mr.  A.  Lee,  Mr.  T.  was 
requested,  as  has  been  stated,  to  prepare  a  memoir  of 
him.  Under  date  of  November  8,  he  says :  "  I  am 
engaged  in  carrying  brother  Lee's  memoir  through 
the  press.  9.  —  Have  had  great  struggles  in  my 
mind  as  to  whether  I  ought  to  vote  for  Mr.  Clay. 
11.  —  Voted  for  Mr.  Clay  against  my  feelings,  for  I 
cannot  approve  of  his  slave-holding  and  duelling; 
but  knew  not  how  to  do  better  for  the  time.  Did  it 
on  the  same  principle  that  I  would  employ  an  infidel 
to  make  me  a  piece  of  furniture.  . 

"  Jan.  1,  1845.  —  Met  new  year's  day  not  without 
spiritual  comfort.  7.  —  For  some  time  past  have 
felt  quite  anxious  about  the  state  of  religion  in  this 
place,  and  have  endeavored  to  prepare  the  church  to 
spend  the  first  Monday  of  the  month  in  prayer.  18. 
—  Thought  that  I  had  quite  a  good  sermon  when  I 
went  to  meeting  this  afternoon,  but  on  my  return  felt 
as  though  it  was  worthless,  and  had  produced  no 
effect.  20.  —  Spent  nearly  half  the  day  in  calling 
upon  mourners.     21. —  A  solemn  day  in  our  family. 


394  MEMOIR    OF 

Mother  Cleaveland  died  this  morning  very  suddenly. 
She  sat  up  a  little  later  than  usual  last  evening,  in 
order  to  finish  the  second  volume  of  Newton's  works, 
which  she  had  been  reading  with  great  interest.  She 
retired  to  rest  in  usual  health  and  spirits,  and  aw^aked 
in  the  arms  of  her  Saviour.  Her  death  was  the 
easiest  possible,  the  mere  stopping  of  the  pendulum 
of  a  clock.  There  was  only  a  sigh ;  no  groan  or 
convulsion.  When  I  was  on  the  point  of  marrying, 
it  was  with  fear  that  I  consented  to  receive  her 
into  my  family.  I  soon  found,  however,  that  I  pos- 
sessed in  her  a  most  invaluable  prize;  she  was  so 
pious,  so  pleasant,  so  heavenly.  I  have  never  felt 
more  sure  that  a  person  had  gone  to  glory,  than  I 
do  that  she  has  gone  there.  My  mind  dwells  much 
upon  the  desolation  1  or  my  wife  should  feel  if  one 
of  us  were  to  be  removed,  leaving  the  other  behind. 

To  his  brother  T.  and  wife. 

"  We  are  in  tears  to-day.  Mother  Cleaveland  left 
us  at  a  quarter  past  five  this  morning.  Hers  was  an 
euthanasi/,  desirable  for  a  Christian,  but  exceedingly 
rare.  She  went  away  as  easy  as  if  she  had  been 
taken  up  in  her  sleep  and  carried  in  the  arms  of 
angels.  Good  mother,  precious  woman  I  with  what 
fears,  as  a  son,  I  received  her,  lest  I  should  fail  to 
meet  her  wishes  and  render  her  happy.  How  much 
have  I  come  to  love  her!  She  was  ever  pleasant, 
always  meeting  me  with  a  smile.  O,  how  my  poor 
Mary  has  felt  it!  What  a  gloom  it  has  brought 
over^us !  How  precious  such  a  death  makes  religion 
seem,  and  how .  worthless  the  world  !     Pray  for  us. 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  395 

that  the  event  may  be  sanctified  to  us,  for  our  good. 
In  haste." 

Mrs.  Cleaveland  was  buried  in  Topsfield.  Her 
remains  were  borne  there,  January  23,  but  the  fune- 
ral took  place  on  the  24th.  Her  daughter  and  hus- 
band did  not  go  to  T.  till  the  day  of  the  funeral. 

Journal.  "  Jan.  24.  —  We  are  to  start  this  morn- 
ing for  Topsfield.  The  Lord  be  with  us,  and  espe- 
cially with  my  dear  wife.  Evening :  returned  from 
the  funeral.  25.  —  Evening :  we  have  thought  much 
of  mother  at  family  prayers.  Brother  Jeremiah 
arrived,  and  his  presence  cheers  us.  26.  —  Sabbath ; 
a  hallowed  day.  Was  reminded  of  the  hymn  which 
I  sung  a  week  ago  to  mother.  28.  —  Wrote  several 
obituaries  of  mother  C." 

To  his  mother,  February  6. 

"  I  send  you  this  morning  a  paper  which  contains 
an  obituary  notice  of  our  mother  C.  Her  removal 
from  us  was  very  sudden.  She  had  been  unusually 
well  for  three  weeks  previous  to  her  death ;  if  such  it 
could  be  called.  On  Saturday  evening  she  conversed 
with  her  daughter  on  the  desirableness  of  ever  spend- 
ing that  evening  in  serious  preparation  for  the  Sab- 
bath. Regretted  that  it  had  not  been  her  uniform 
practice  through  life  to  do  so.  On  the  Sabbath  she 
was  reading  most  of  the  time  in  the  works  of  John 
Newton ;  also  listened  to  the  reading  of  my  sermons 
for  the  day  ;  was  with  us  at  evening  prayers,  and  when 
we  sang  the  hymn,  *  What  is  life,'  etc.,  her  kindling 
eye  expressed  her  interest  in  the  sentiment.    Monday 


396  MEMOIR    OF 

evening,  she  sat  up  till  nine,  to  finish,  as  she  said,  the 
vokime  of  Newton,  which  she  had  read  in  course, 
and  having  completed  the  last  leaf,  committed  her- 
self to  the  arms  of  sleep.  She  rested  through  the 
night.  About  five  Tuesday  morning,  I  knocked  at 
her  door  to  arouse  H.,  who  slept  in  her  room ;  and 
soon  after  H.  had  arisen,  mother  was  seized  with  a 
slight  spasm,  such  as  she  had  been  subject  to  for  the 
last  three  or  four  years.  We  were  called,  and  in  a 
few  moments  were  at  her  bedside.  It  was,  however, 
only  to  witness  her  departure  —  in  a  single  gentle 
sigh  her  soul  was  breathed  away.  She  never  knew 
what  it  is  to  die  —  she  lay  down  to  sleep,  and  awaked 
with  Jesus.  We  are  left  drowned  in  tears.  We  feel 
the  vacancy.  She  had  bodily  infirmities,  a  spinal 
difficulty,*  and  deafpess,  but  always  was  cheerful, 
and  devising  some  good  deed.  Every  thing  selfish 
seemed  to  have  vanished  from  her.  She  was  ready 
to  give  away  every  thing  for  God.  Heaven  filled 
her  soul.  Hers  was  the  gentlest  spirit  I  remember 
ever  to  have  known.  I  have  been  acquainted  with 
her  sixteen  years,  and  so  far  as  I  could  judge  she 
was  uniformly  such  —  she  lived  near  to  God,  and 
has  been  borne,  we  doubt  not,  on  angels'  wings  to 
heaven.  We  gazed  after  her,  weeping  for  our  loss, 
and  almost  desiring  to  follow  her.  I  did  not  think 
it  possible  she  could  have  entwined  so  closely  around 
my  heart,  during  the  short  time  I  have  sustained 
towards  her  the  relation  of  a  son.  To  my  wife,  who 
has  always  been  with  her,  and  the  prop  of  her  de- 
clining years,  the  bereavement  is  great.  It  draws  us 
nearer  to  each  other.  Our  tears  have  flowed  to- 
gether.    Farewell.     Your  affectionate  son." 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  397 

The  following  he  composed  for  his  wife  soon  after 
the  death  of  her  mother :  — 

"  The  vital  spark  of  heavenly  flame, 

Has  surely,  surely  fled ; 
The  cold  that  creeps  along  her  frame, 

Proclaims  that  she  is  dead. 
She  wings  her  way  among  the  spheres, 
To  where  the  throne  appears. 

"  Last  eve  she  sweetly  closed  the  day, 

Rapt  in  redeeming  love  ; 
This  morn  she 's  on  her  shining  way. 

To  join  the  songs  above. 
She  wakes  amid  seraphic  strains. 
Upon  the  heavenly  plains. 

"  O,  gentle  death,  without  a  sting  ! 
Is  this  indeed  to  die  ? 
Borne  on  an  angel's  balmy  wing, 

She  passes  to  the  sky  ! 
And  yet  we're  drowned  in  tears  of  grief. 
For  here's  the  withered  leaf. 

"  We  knew  that  eighty  years  had  spanned 

Life's  checkered  scenes  away ; 
And  long  in  Beulah's  happy  land. 

Had  heard  her  sing  and  pray, 
"With  Zion's  city  full  in  view, 
Yet  seemed  it  not  so  true. 

"  Though  she  had  felt  the  stern  control 

Of  age,  disease,  and  care. 
Warm  were  the  affections  of  her  soul  — 

There  was  no  winter  there  ; 
And  in  God's  house  she  still  was  seen, 
Fragrant,  and  fair,  and  green. 

"  'Tis  sweet  to  call  her  form  to  mind, 
That  glowed  with  inward  grace  ; 
Her  looks  benign,  her  words  so  kind, 
The  gentlest  of  her  race  !  — 

34 


398  MEMOIR    OF 

The  charity,  the  prayer,  and  praise, 
In  which  she  passed  her  days. 

"  Who  can  her  listening  ear  forget, 
Her  eye  devoutly  closed  ; 
When  round  the  mercy-seat  we  met. 

In  holy  thought  composed ; 
Or  with  what  joy  her  soul  would  beam, 
When  Jesus  was  the  theme. 

"  Alas,  to  think  she's  gone,  she's  gone ! 
That  tenderest  earthly  friend  ! 
Wliile  here  we  sought  to  cheer  her  on. 

And  every  want  attend  ! 
O,  how  we'd  fear  to  give  her  pain, 
If  she  were  here  again ! 

"  But  ah,  no  tears  will  her  restore. 
To  cheer  our  lonely  home ; 
We  find  her  in  the  room  no  more, 

Smiling  to  sec  us  come. 
Her  books  we  find,  her  place  of  prayer. 
But  mother  is  not  there  ! 

"  You  need  not  go,  my  dear,  to-night. 
Before  your  eyelids  close, 

Or  rise,  betimes,  ere  morning  light. 
To  look  for  her  repose. 

Deep  sleep  is  on  her  aged  brow. 

She  sleeps  in  Jesus  now. 

"  Yet  Mary,  wipe  away  that  tear. 
Nor  be  with  sorrow  riven  ; 

For  shining  angels  have  been  here  — 
This  is  the  gate  of  heaven  ; 

Ethereal  fragrance  spreads  around, — 

I  feel  'tis  holy  ground. 

"  We'll  bear  the  precious  dust  away, 
And  plume  our  wings  to  fly ; 
While  waiting  for  eternal  day. 
We  hope  like  her  to  die,  — 
To  wake  amid  angelic  strains, 
Upon  the  heavenly  plains." 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  399 

The  ensuing  letter  was  written  to  his  youngest 
brother,  then  in  the  Seminary  at  Andover.  The 
lady  to  whom  allusion  is  made,  had  just  buried  her 
eldest  daughter. 

"March  18,  1845. 

"  Dear  J. :  —  We  thank  you  for  your  line  respect- 
ing Mrs.  J.  I  trust  you  received  my  letter  to  her 
containing  three  dollars  which  I  directed  to  your 
care.  I  hope  you  will  cultivate  her  acquaintance  and 
from  time  to  time  let  me  know  how  she  gets  along. 
She  and  her  husband  were  among  the  best  friends  I 
had  at  A.,  and  I  shall  do  more  for  her,  if  God  per- 
mit, and  she  should  stand  in  need." 

It  was  Mr.  T.'s  rule  to  visit  all  his  people  once  a 
year,  and  to  call  often  upon  the  sick,  the  anxious, 
mourners,  etc. 

Journal.  "  March  18.  —  Yesterday  I  made  four- 
teen visits,  and  offered  ten  prayers.  Learn  with 
deep  regret  that  I  have  been  elected  one  of  the 
school  committee  this  year. 

"  April  1.  —  Find  there  has  been  much  feeling  in 
the  church  because  I  would  not  unite  with  Mr.  W. 
in  a  funeral.  What !  I  unite  with  a  person  who  rid- 
icules the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity ! " 

Nearly  every  April  in  Mr.  T.'s  pastoral  life,  appears 
to  have  brought  with  it  a  scene  of  great  perplexity.  It 
woirid  seem  that  the  parish  considered  him  as  hired 
from  year  to  year,  though  he  had  been  installed  with  a 
stipulated  salary.  Sometimes  as  the  annual  parish 
meeting  was  approaching  he  would  escape  from  its 
turmoils  by  taking  a  short  journey.     The  next  letter 


400  MEMOIR    OF 

was  written  during  one  of  his  brief  tours  made  in 
the  stormy  season. 

"Worcester,  April  16,  1845. 

"  My  dear  Wife  :  —  I  write  this  at  brother 's. 

I  came  directly  here  last  evening,  and  said  to  him,  '  I 
have  taken  the  same  liberty  to  come  and  see  an  old 
friend,  that  I  would  like  to  have  taken  with  me.'  He 
had  just  returned  from  N.,  where  he  had  been  called 
to  attend  the  burial  of  a  sister.  His  wife  still  re- 
mains there.  His  house  was  in  process  of  cleaning, 
painting,  etc.  He,  however,  welcomed  me  in  the  most 
cordial  and  friendly  manner  to  such  things  as  he  had, 
and  such  fare  and  lodging  as  he  could  furnish.  We 
have  had  a  pleasant  time.  —  I  do  not  now  think  of 
returning  until  next  week ;  probably  shall  spend  the 
Sabbath  in  New  Haven.  Of  course  I  feel  solicitous 
to  hear  the  result  of  to-day's  meeting  in  M.  I  almost 
feel  as  though  it  ivould  be  the  closing  of  all  my  labors 
there.  If  it  end  badly,  then  my  work  falls  to  the 
ground.  I  have,  however,  a  state  of  calm  emotion ; 
I  hope  of  confidence  in  God.  I  thought  of  that 
prayer-meeting  last  evening,  and  spoke  of  it  here  in 
the  family.  I  have  endeavored  to  carry  the  church 
to  Christ,  and  to  go  to  him  myself,  this  morning. 
Oh,  the  value  of  the  church !  It  was  for  her  sake 
Christ  suffered  and  died.  It  is  for  her  we  must 
submit  to  indignities.  I  feel  that  my  heart  is  cling- 
ing more  and  more  closely  to  the  church.  Your 
affectionate  husband." 

To  the  same,  April  27. 

"  Having  made  my  purchases  yesterday  at  Boston, 
I  went  to  look  up  Mr.  W.     I  had  heard  of  his  being 


•   KEV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  401 

in  the  city,  and  when  I  was  at  New  Haven,  had 
taken  up  in  a  bookstore,  '  The  Goldmaker's  Village,' 
which  I  had  translated  for  him  several  years  since.  I 
wished  to  know  whether  this  was  my  translation,  or 
a  new  one  from  some  other  source.  I  found  him 
quite  ill  —  exceedingly  emaciated.  Before  I  came 
away,  I  told  him  there  was  one  point,  a  delicate  one, 
about  which  I  needed  information.  It  was  as  to  his 
means.  I  had  heard  of  his  poverty.  He  frankly  told 
me  he  had  nothing  for  more  than  a  month  ahead.  I 
said  I  would  send  him  five  dollars  as  then  I  had 
them  not.  He  expressed  great  gratitude,  and  ob- 
served that  perhaps  God  had  «ent  me  to  him  as  a 
Christian  friend ;  that  he  seldom  heard  the  voice  of 
prayer,  etc.  We  talked  of  religious  hopes  and  fears, 
and  prayed  together,  when  he  told  me  that  he  could 
not  accept  of  the  money  which  I  had  offered  him,  as 
he  was  living  at  great  expense,  and  it  would  go  but 
a  little  way,  and  it  was  unfair  and  apparently  unchris- 
tian under  such  circumstances  to  take  any  thing 
from  me;  he  would,  however,  sell  me  five  dollars' 
worth  of  his  books.  I  examined  them,  but  not  find- 
ing any  thing  of  consequence  that  I  wished,  came 
away,  telling  him  I  would  call  again  before  I  should 
leave  the  city.  I  hastened  and  borrowed  of  Mr.  C, 
our  stage-driver,  a  five  dollar  bill,  and  returning  to 
Mr.  W.  pressed  it  into  his  hand,  telling  him  that  I 
could  not  then  take  any  of  his  books,  but  might 
some  other  time.  We  had  further  conversation  on 
the  subject  of  religion,  the  love  of  God,  the  necessity 
of  looking  closely  into  the  human  heart,  etc.  When 
I  rose  up  to  come  away,  he  called  me  to  his  bedside 
and  said,  '  Brother  Taylor,  I  cannot  take  this  money.' 
34* 


402  MEMOIR    OF  • 

I  took  it  back  and  bade  him  farewell."  Mr.  W., 
however,  subsequently  expressed  by  letter  his  willing- 
ness to  receive  the  five  dollars,  and  Mr.  T.  sent  them 
to  him. 

Journal.  "  April  29.  —  Have  just  passed  through 
another  severe  trial  about  salary  matters,  but  all  has 
ended  thus  far  as  well  as  could  be  expected.  I  con- 
sidered myself  for  awhile  dismissed.  The  Lord, 
however,  stood  by  me.  For  some  time  I  feared  that 
the  keystone  of  all  my  labors  was  about  to  be 
knocked  out ;  that  the  wicked  would  triumph  over 
me  and  the  church,  trampling  us  under  foot ;  but  the 
Lord  has  appeared  for  us. 

"  May  6.  —  Mrs.  T.  and  myself  have  of  late  re- 
ceived a  present  from  Rev.  Josiah  Peabody,  mis- 
sionary at  Erzroom,  Asia.  To  my  wife  was  sent  a 
bottle  of  ivater  from  the  Euphrates ;  to  me,  lava  one 
thousand  years  old,  from  near  Khoy,  —  marble  from 
the  Chifteh  minareh,  or  pair  of  minarets ;  lava  from 
Hassan-kulaah,  or,  as  is  supposed,  the  ancient  Theo- 
dosiopolis ;  lava  from  near  the  base  of  Mount  Ararat. 

12.  —  Conversed  with  Mr. and  asked  permission 

to  converse  with  his  son,  who  is  far  gone  in  consump- 
tion ;  but  he  refused,  saying  he  had  sworn  that  not 
even  the  physician  should  inform  his  son  of  the  near- 
ness of  death." 

Extracts  from  a  letter  to  his  brother  T.  and  wife. 
May,  1845. 

"  We  rejoiced  with  you  at  the  birth  of  your  little 
son,  and  deeply  sympathize  with  you  in  his  loss. 
We  doubt  not  that  the  experience  such  events  have 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  403 

brought,  is  most  precious.  The  domestic  relations 
are  of  a  sacred  and  hallowed  character.  Did  you 
ever  see  Willis's  poem  on  the  death  of  his  child  ? 

*  Room  for  my  first-born  flowers,  room/ 

or  Pierpont's  on  the  death  of  his  boy  ? 

'  I  cannot  make  him  dead/  etc. 

Journal.  "  June  15.  —  Preached,  with  great  com- 
fort to  myself,  on  little  children  being  brought  to 
Christ.  18.  —  A  desponding  day.  My  spiritual  en- 
emies try  me,  and  my  Christian  course  is  a  hard  one. 
Have  been  endeavoring  to-day  to  get  strength  for  the 
performance  of  a  poor  weak  resolution." 

"  Danielsonville,  Conn.,  June  30,  1845. 

To  his  Brother  T.  and  Wife.  — "We  left  our 
home  last  week  Tuesday  morning,  my  wife  to  visit 
her  Connecticut  friends,  and  myself  to  attend  the 
General  Association  of  Massachusetts,  at  West- 
minster. After  the  meeting  I  joined  her  at  this 
place.  On  Saturday  we  rode  down  to  Jewett  City 
to  call  on  some  cousins.  Rev.  Mr.  Shipman  and  wife. 
While  there.  Rev.  Mr.  Carey,  who  has  lately  received 
a  call  to  settle  in  Webster,  Massachusetts,  came  in 
—  and  during  the  conversation  he  informed  us  that 
a  clergyman  from  Norwich  had  gone  to  Lebanon  to 
attend  the  funeral  of  Rev.  Mr.  Nichols's  wife,  and 
that  yourself  and  wife  would  probably  be  there.  We 
had  been  planning  a  visit  to  you  at  Slatersville ;  but 
this  intelligence  filled  us  with  doubt.  You  would 
not  probably  reach  home  in  season  for  us  to  find 
you.     We  endeavored,  through  Mr.  Shipman,  who 


404  MEMOIR    OF 

preached  in  Norwich  yesterday,  to  obtain  further 
particulars.  He  sent  us  a  note  to  Plainfield  by  the 
cars,  from  which,  however,  we  could  learn  nothing 
definite.  He  was  informed  that  Mr.  Nichols  is  a 
deeply  afflicted  man,  and  that  on  this  account  you 
might,  if  possible,  prolong  your  stay.  I  had,  in  this 
view  of  things^  about  concluded  to  visit  you  at  Leb- 
anon, leaving  my  wife  at  Plainfield.  But  there  was 
still  a  doubt  whether  you  might  not  have  been 
obliged  to  leave.  On  the  whole,  therefore,  though 
on  account  of  the  affliction  you  are  now  passing 
through,  we  wish  to  see  you  more  than  ever,  we  have 
felt  constrained  to  relinquish  the  idea  of  calling  on 
you  at  L.,  also  of  taking  Slatersville  on  our  way 
to  Manchester.  Accordingly,  after  having  myself 
visited  Canterbury  to  survey  the  old  residence  of 
my  wife's  ancestors,  we  returned  this  evening,  by 
the  cars  to  this  place,  and  to-morrow  we  shall 
probably  start  for  home.  Having  thus  explained 
matters  somewhat  at  length,  the  question  occurs, 
What  shall  I  say  to  comfort  you,  dear  Caro- 
line ?  I  remember  your  departed  sister  Ann  —  was 
not  that  her  name?  —  at  Saratoga  Springs,  in  the 
autumn  of  1843,  —  her  pale,  emaciated  countenance, 
her  tender  nerves,  what  she  said  about  the  child  she 
had  lost,  etc.  She  was  a  great  sufferer,  but  she  is 
now  through,  and  I  infer  from  her  conversation  at 
that  time,  she  has  joined  the  bright  throng  of  happy 
spirits  above.  I  know  the  event  is  a  sad  one  for  you, 
dear  sister.  The  Lord  put  his  own  arm  under  you, 
and  bear  you  up  amid  this  trial,  superadded  to  all 
that  have  preceded  it. 


REV.     OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  405 

" '  My  friends  beloved  in  former  days, 
The  dear  companions  of  my  ways, 
Descend  around  me  to  the  tomb/ 

"  If,  however,  as  I  trust,  there  is  underneath  the 
Almighty  arm,  you  will  be  supported  —  you  will  be 
enabled  to  say,  '  Though  he  slay  me,  yet  will  I  trust 
in  him.'  We  endeavor  to  bear  you  to  the  foot  of  the 
cross,  and  leave  you  with  him  who  'knoweth  our 
frame,  he  remembereth  that  we  are  dust,'  —  and 
who  'doth  not  afflict  willingly.'  Mary  sits  by  me 
writing  to  a  brother.  She  feels  more  anxious  than 
ever  to  see  you ;  the  hope,  however,  that  you  will 
soon  visit  us  at  our  home,  reconciles  her  to  the  pres- 
ent disappointment.  She  sends  her  kindest  regards, 
her  sympathy  and  love." 

About  the  middle  of  July  he  was  requested  to 
take  part  with  an  unevangelical  preacher  in  dedi- 
cating a  new  Cemetery,  but  he  utterly  refused  to  do 
aught  that  would  imply  a  recognition  of  the  man  as 
a  gospel  minister.  He,  however,  delivered  an  address 
on  the  occasion.  "  How  painful  to  find  Christians 
so  little  attentive  to  principle.  Have  felt  a  pleasant 
calm  most  of  the  day  in  the  love  of  God.  The 
Saviour  appears  very  near  to  me.  O,  how  much  I 
need  his  aid !  Thanks  to  God  for  the  joys  and  mer- 
cies of  the  past  week,  notwithstanding  all  its  trials." 

The  following  reasons  belong  chronologically  ear- 
lier than  their  insertion  here  implies,  yet  it  is  deemed 
suitable  to  introduce  them  in  this  connection. 

Reasons,  etc.  "  I  have  known  from  the  very  begin- 
ning, the  character  of  the  neio  society  which  has  been 
formed  among  us ;  and,  so  far  as  circumstances  have 


406  MEMOIR    OP 

required,  taken  my  stand  aloof  from  it.  Having  had 
no  occasion,  however,  which  called  for  a  public  dis- 
closure of  my  views,  I  have  hitherto  confined  myself, 
in  general,  to  a  private  expression  of  them.  The 
time  has  now  come  which  calls  for  one  more  public, 
and  I  freely  make  it. 

"  First.  Had  the  society  been  ever  so  orthodox,  I 
should  question  the  propriety  of  holding  fellowship 
with  it,  at  present,  considering  the  manner  in  which 
it  has  been  formed.  If  persons,  who  have  been 
accustomed  to  worship  together,  at  length  find  them- 
selves so  differing  that  they  must  separate,  there  is  a 
kind,  courteous.  Christian  way  in  which  such  a  sep- 
aration can  be  effected.  The  new  society  has  not 
been  formed  in  that  way,  but,  as  it  were,  by  tearing 
limb  from  limb.  A  man  came  and  preached  among 
us  occasionally,  saying  that  he  did  not  intend  to  in- 
jure the  church ;  but  his  at  first  infrequent  visits, 
became  more  numerous,  and  he  effected  a  permanent 
lodgment,  though  all  the  while  uttering  the  most 
solemn  declarations  of  having  no  such  object  in 
view.  I  should  not  countenance  the  devoutest 
Christian  brother,  were  he  to  come  among  us  after 
this  manner.  The  proceedings  are  wholly  unchris- 
tian. Such  a  course  cuts  directly  across  the  cords  of 
brotherly  love,  and  can  be  justified  on  no  scriptural 
grounds.  The  only  apology  which  such  intruders 
can  offer  is,  that  they  do  not  consider  us  Chris- 
tians, and  hence  feel  themselves  under  solemn  obli- 
gations to  preach  the  gospel  among  us,  in  order  to 
save  us  from  eternal  ruin. 

"  Secondly.  I  cannot  do  any  thing  implying  fel- 
lowship with  this  new  society,  because  it  does  not 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  407 

embrace  the  fundamental  principles  of  the  gospel. 
It  is  founded  on  dangerous  errors. 

"  Thirdly,  Nor  can  I  do  aught  that  would  indi- 
cate approval  of  the  man  who  preaches  to  the  new 
society;  for  I  have  no  evidence  that  he  has  been 
regularly  set  apart  to  the  ministry.  He  fancies  he 
has  received  a  call  from  God  to  preach ;  speaks  of 
an  inward  feeling  prompting  him  to  set  himself  up 
as  a  public  teacher.  He  has  been  heard  to  say,  that 
he  considers  himself  as  equally  inspired  with  the 
apostle  Paul.  Furthermore,  he  teaches  Millenarian- 
ism  in  its  grossest  form.  This  he  has  done  in  our 
community  for  about  a  year.  Moreover,  he  claims 
to  be  perfect ;  says  the  wicked  will  be  annihilated, 
and  denies  the  doctrine  of  total  depravity.  Some  of 
his  associates  say  that  total  depravity  has  been  done 
away  since  Ezekiel  declared  that  there  should  be  no 
longer  occasion  to  use  in  Israel  the  following  pro- 
verb :  *  The  fathers  have  eaten  sour  grapes  and  the 
children's  teeth  are  set  on  edge.'  This  man  despises 
learning,  holding  it  up  to  contempt,  contrary  to 
Titus  i.  9-11.  He  rails  against  salaries,  in  direct 
opposition  to  what  an  apostle  teaches,  and  indeed 
contrary  to  his  own  demands,  being  himself  a  lover 
of  a  salary.  All  creeds  and  covenants  he  berates, 
rendering  it  impossible  to  distinguish  him  from  other 
heterodox  teachers.  He  advocates  female  speaking 
in  public,  and  aims  to  destroy,  utterly,  church  gov- 
ernment; thus  arraying  himself  against  the  Scrip- 
tures, as  we  find  in  1  Cor.  xiv.  34 ;  1  Tim.  ii.  12. 
His  measures  with  inquiring  souls  are  adapted  to 
mislead  them.  Though  exceedingly  loose  in  all 
doctrinal  matters,  yet  he  so  teaches  the  necessity  of 


408  MEMOIR    OP 

immersion  in  the  ordinance  of  baptism,  as  to  imply 
that  it  is  essential  to  salvation.  Finally,  he  is  noto- 
riously a  Sabbath-breaker.^^ 

Journal.  "  Aug.  3.  —  Preached  all  day  on  the 
observance  of  the  Sabbath.  12.  —  Preached  again 
on  keeping  the  Sabbath.  Hear  of  its  being  broken 
all  around  me,  in  every  manner  possible.  19. — 
Things  among  us  grow  worse  and  worse,  as  it  re- 
gards religion.  I  must  turn  over  a  new  leaf  respect- 
ing prayer,  devoting  at  least  half  an  hour  to  it  before 
breakfast.  All  my  hope  rests  on  God.  23.  —  Bro- 
ther N.  Cleaveland  left  us  yesterday.  Had  conversa- 
tion with  him  in  reference  to  the  genealogy  of  the 
C.  family.  Obtained  some  documents  of  him,  and 
the  promise  of  another." 

In  the  month  last  named  Mr.  T.  was  elected  a 
corresponding  member  of  the  New  England  Historic 
Genealogical  Society.  Tn  September  he  attended 
the  meeting  of  the  American  Board  in  Brooklyn, 
New  York,  making  his  home  with  his  brother-in-law, 
Mr.  N.  Cleaveland.  From  B.  he  visited  his  brother 
R.  in  Shrewsbury,  New  Jersey,  where  he  passed  two 
Sabbaths  and  was  sick  a  week.  Indulging  himself 
in  antiquarian  researches  in  that  region,  he  gathered 
a  variety  of  facts,  a  specimen  or  two  of  which  will 
be  here  inserted. 

"  Monmouth  county  was  originally  settled  by  the 
Dutch,  Swedes,  and  Scots.  Some  parts  of  it  are 
under  high  cultivation,  and  well  repay  the  farmers. 
I  miss  the  New  England  school  system.  What 
passes  for  a  system  in  this  state  has  proved  compar- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  409 

atively  worthless.  The  county  has  been  the  scene 
of  many  interesting  events.  If  we  go  back,  for 
instance,  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  or  more,  we 
shall  find  various  parts  of  it  settled  by  persons  from 
Scotland,  who  brought  with  them  the  rites,  forms, 
and  doctrines  of  the  Scotch  Presbyterians,  and  who 
were  the  means  of  establishing  their  church  on  a  firm 
basis.  If  we  come  down  to  a  somewhat  later  period 
we  shall  behold  John  Tennent,  pastor  at  Freehold. 
He  labored  in  the  ministry  but  two  or  three  years ; 
and  dying  April  23,  1732,  was  buried  in  what  is  now 
termed  the  Scotch  burying-ground.  Near  this  stood 
the  old  meeting-house  in  which  he  preached.  It  was 
about  three  miles  north  of  the  present  Freehold 
church,  in  which,  as  his  successor,  his  brother  Wil- 
liam proclaimed  the  truths  of  the  gospel  more  than 
forty  years.  It  was  in  this  region,  also,  that  Brainerd 
labored,  and  near  Freehold  was  fought  the  battle  of 
Monmouth.  Colonel  Monkton  lies  buried  west  of 
the  meeting-house." 

Journal.  "  Oct.  11.  —  Our  Sabbath  school  has 
greatly  run  down.'  I  have  never  been  pleased  with 
the  mode  of  teaching.  There  is  too  little  commit- 
ting Scripture  on  the  part  of  the  scholars,  and  the 
teachers  indulge  too  much  in  pre  aching. ^^  The  fol- 
lowing record  was  made  October  29 :  "  Have  just 
gone  through  a  most  affecting  scene.  M.  A.  C.  was 
long  the  head  teacher  of  our  infant  Sabbath  school. 
Nearly  two  years  since  she  was  married,  and  removed 
to  St.  Louis.  For  some  years  she  had  entertained  a 
hope,  but  did  not  mal^e  a  public  profession  of  relig- 
ion till   she   united  with   the    second    Presbyterian 

35 


410  MEMOIR    OF 

church  in  that  city.  Recently,  while  suffering  much 
from  ill  health,  she  reached  Manchester  in  company 
with  her  husband  and  other  friends.  She  has  a 
pretty  babe  about  three  weeks  old.  It  was  reported  to 
me  this  morning  that  she  was  dying,  and  I  hastened 
to  see  her.  Her  hearing  was  poor,  and  her  speech 
affected,  she  being  scarcely  able  to  utter  even  a 
whisper.  I  prayed  with  her,  and  she  clasped  her 
hands  together  in  the  attitude  of  prayer.  By  placing 
my  lips  near  to  her  ear,  I  could  make  her  hear  me. 
At  length  she  called  for  her  babe.  It  being  carried 
to  her,  she  took  it  into  her  arms  and  seemed  engaged 
in  prayer.  Catching  sight  of  me  as  I  stood  a  little 
back,  she  beckoned  me  near.  As  I  approached  her, 
she  took  my  hand  and  laid  it  on  the  infant's  head.  I 
soon  perceived  that  she  desired  me  to  baptize  her 
babe  there  in  her  presence.  When  I  inquired  for  the 
name  by  which  it  should  be  called,  she  first  placed 
her  hand  upon  her  own  breast,  then  marking  out  the 
size  of  her  brother  W.,  she  made  us  understand  that 
she  desired  to  combine  a  part  of  her  own  name  and 
a  part  of  his.  I  then  offered  an  introductory  prayer, 
baptized  the  babe,  and  concluded  with  prayer.  It 
has  been  the  most  solemn  and  touching  scene  that  I 
ever  witnessed."  This  lady  died  not  many  hours 
after  the  above  occurrence. 

To  his  youngest  brother,  member  of  the  Theolog- 
ical Seminary,  Princeton,  New  Jersey,  December  16, 
1845. 

"  Dear  J. ;  —  I  quite  forget  whether  or  not  I  have 
written  you  since  you  reached  Princeton,  but  my 
wife  has,  and  that  is  better.     However,  I  drop  you  a 


REV.     OLIVER    A.  \aYLOR.  411 

line  now,  to  let  you  know  that  I  have  not  forgotten 
J.  The  Lord  bless  you,  my  brother.  Subdue  every 
unruly  passion,  and  bring  your  body  and  soul  into  a 
perfect  conformity  to  'the  gospel  of  Christ.  His 
truth  becomes  more  and  more  precious  to  me  as  time 
rolls  on.  His  grace  is  sufficient  for  us.  It  will  ena- 
ble us,  if  we  ask  for  it,  to  conquer  every  sin.  Have 
you  the  missionary  spirit  in  Princeton  ?  With  Ma- 
ry's kind  regards,  your  brother." 

In  a  letter  to  his  brother  T.,  about  the  middle  of 
December,  he  says :  "  Irreligion  abounds  more  and 
more  among  us,  and  to  myself  the  gospel  of  Christ 
and  the  hope  of  eternal  life  become  increasingly 
precious.  Oh,  the  glorious  hope  of  the  Christian ; 
the  inexpressible  richness  of  redeeming  love !  Strange 
that  objects  of  worldly  ambition  should  ever  be 
brought  into  competition  with  the  treasures  of 
heaven ! " 

Journal.  "  Dec.  31.  —  I  close  the  year  in  circum- 
stances of  great  mercy ;  but  it  has  been  character- 
ized by  many  sins  on  my  part.  During  it  I  have 
buried  a  dear  mother-in-law.  O I  to  be  devoted  to 
God  most  perfectly.  Farewell,  1845,  till  I  meet  thee 
and  thy  account  at  the  judgment. 

"  Jan.  1,  1846.  —  Have  had  to-day  more  softened 
religious  feelings  than  usual,  and  more  comfort.  17. 
—  Spent  a  day  lately  in  the  Historical  Society's 
Library,  Boston,  collecting  facts  concerning  the  early 
history  of  the  church  in  Manchester.  My  heart  is 
exceedingly  hard,  but  I  have  longings  for  divine 
things  this  morning.     21.  —  Anniversary  of  mother 


412  MEMOIR    OF 

Cleaveland's   death.      22.  —  Thursday   eve.      Have 
visited  forty-five  families  in  four  afternoons."    ^ 

"January  25. 
"Dear  Sister  Mary: — Notwithstanding  the  fa- 
tigues of  the  day  and  a  severe  cold,  I  am  constrained 
this  evening  to  attempt  a  reply  to  your  letter.  The 
strains  in  which  you  write  seem  like  those  which 
come  from  some  harp  hung  upon  the  willows,  and 
whose  strings  the  wild  winds  put  in  motion.  Would 
to  God,  my  dear  sister,  I  could  relieve  you  of  your 
sorrow  —  but  I  cannot.  Sin  is  a  burden  that  lies 
upon  all  the  children  of  Adam,  and  sooner  or  later 
will  make  them  groan  out  in  anguish  of  spirit. 
From  this  burden  there  is  no  deliverer  but  Christ.  I 
cannot  possibly  help  you,  nor  can  any  of  the  human 
family.  You  must  .not  even  turn  to  us  for  relief. 
You  must  look  to  God  alone  through  Christ.  Your 
only  hope  is  in  the  Lamb  of  God,  who  taketh  away 
the  sin  of  the  world,  and  he  is  ready  to  relieve  you. 
Believe  in  him,  and  the  work  is  done.  Go  to  him, 
and  he  will  receive  you.  His  word  is  pledged  to  this. 
Trouble  yom-self  not  at  all  about  the  decrees  of  God. 
"With  these  you  have  nothing  to  do.  They  are  God's 
rule  of  conduct,  not  yours.  All  you  have  to  do  is  to 
go  to  Christ,  and  be  assured  he  is  inviting  you  to 
himself.  His  language  to  all  is,  '  Behold,  I  stand  at 
the  door  and  knock ;  if  any  man  hear  my  voice  and 
open  the  door,  I  will  come  in  to  him,  and  will  sup 
with  him  and  he  with  me.'  — '  If  any  man  thirst,  let 
him  come  unto  me  and  drink.'  You  find  in  the  Bible 
a  promise  to  this  effect :  '  Whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  the 
Father  in  my  name,  he  will  give  it  you.'     Lay  the 


REV.    OLIVER   A.    TAYLOR.  413 

word  of  God  open  before  you  at  that  promise,  and 
placing  your  finger  upon  it,  plead  with  God  for 
Christ's  sake  for  the  pardon  of  your  sins.  Do  it  over 
and  over,  giving  up  all  to  him  to  be  his  forever. 
Keep  nothing  back.  Do  it  feeling  that  eternal  life 
hangs  upon  the  issue.  Be  assured,  if  you  fail  of  re- 
lief, there  is  something  you  do  not  give  up.  Oh,  how 
happy  would  it  make  me  to  hear  of  you  as  at  the 
feet  of  Jesus,  clothed  and  in  your  right  mind ! " 

To  the  same  a  little  later. 

"  My  dear  Sister  :  —  I  must  reply  briefly  to  your 
letter  received  last  evening.  The  blood  of  Christ 
meets  all  cases.  It  washes  out  with  perfect  ease  all 
the  stains  of  sin.  '  Come  now  and  let  us  reason  to- 
gether, saith  the  Lord ;  though  your  sins  be  as  scar- 
let, they  shall  be  as  white  as  snow ;  though  they  be 
red  like  crimson,  they  shall  be  as  wool.'  According- 
ly we  find  that  some  of  all  grades  of  sinners  have 
been  purified  by  atoning  blood ;  for  instance,  a  Mary 
Magdalene,  a  thief  on  the  cross,  and  a  persecuting 
Saul.  I  can  also  say,  '  Now  is  the  accepted  time,' 
'  To-day  if  ye  will  hear  his  voice.'  '  Come,  for  all 
things  are  now  ready.'  Angels  are  prepared  to  tune 
their  harps  in  praise  to  the  Redeemer  should  they 
hear  of  your  repentance.  I  can  also  take  you  up  in 
the  arms  of  prayer  and  lay  you  at  the  foot  of  the 
cross  for  mercy.  This,  however,  is  as  far  as  I  can 
go.  There  is  not  a  word  of  consolation  beyond  that 
I  dare  speak  to  you.  If  impenitent,  you  are  in 
Sodom  and  must  escape  out  of  it  for  your  life,  or 
perish.  There  is  a  burden  on  you  that  God  alone 
35* 


414  MEMOIR    OF 

through  his  son  Jesus  Christ  can  take  off.  I  dare 
not  interfere  with  God's  work ;  I  would  not  deceive 
you  with  false  hopes  and  whisper  peace  to  one  to 
whom  God  says,  '  there  is  no  peace.'  It  is  as  if  we 
both  stood  before  the  bar  of  Jehovah  —  the  Judge 
being  before  us.  The  sentence  of  condemnation  or 
acquittal  is  to  come  from  his  lips.  It  is  in  vain, 
under  these  circumstances,  for  you  to  turn  to  me,  or 
"me  to  turn  to  you ;  life  or  death  hangs  on  Ids  lips. 
If  he  say,  thy  sins  are  forgiven,  all  is  well.  Of  what 
would  it  avail,  for  me  to  say  to  you,  or  you  to  me, 
*  Oh,  I  think  it  will  be  well  with  you  —  the  Judge 
will  not  condemn  you.'  Here  then  is  your  position 
—  I  cannot  help  you.  There  is  but  one  thing  for 
you  to  do  —  cry  for  mercy  through  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ ;  this  I  entreat  you  to  do  continually,  and  thus 
I  leave  you.  I  write  to  you  on  the  supposition  that 
you  are  sound  in  mind;  feeble  bodily  health  may 
have  much  to  do  with  your  mental  darkness." 

Journal.  "  Jan.  28.  —  Have  been  confined  at  home 
this  week  thus  far  by  a  cold.  Am  ill  also  in  other 
respects;  but  the  love  and  glory  of  God  have  been 
at  times  very  precious.  It  seems  that  the  Lord  will 
come  and  bless  us  with  the  presence  of  his  Spirit." 
Speaking  of  a  sick  Christian  brother,  Mr.  T.  ob- 
serves :  "  It  is  a  feast  to  go  and  see  him ;  as  a  general 
thing,  we  close  our  interviews  with  prayer." 

To  his  sister  Mary,  March  10,  1846. 

"  Dear  Sister  :  —  I  have  not  time  to  write  much, 
but  being  anxious  for  your  spiritual  welfare,  I  cannot 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  415 

forbear  asking  whether  you  have  not  found  your 
way  to  that  precious  fountain,  that  spring  of  living 
waters?  Has  that  heavy  burden  broken  off,  and 
fallen  into  the  Redeemer's  sepulchre?  My  dear 
sister,  thousands'  and  thousands  of  the  mightiest 
burdens  of  sin  have  vanished  out  of  sight  in  that 
blessed  tomb,  and  I  am  certain  it  will  hold  yours. 
Will  you  not  behold  the  Lamb  of  God  ?  How  you 
wrong  him  by  staying  away  from  his  feet,  and  refus- 
ing his  love.  O!  come,  my  dear  sister,  and  cast 
yourself  upon  his  mercy,  and  all  will  yet  be  well. 
For  this  prays  your  affectionate  brother." 

A  little  later. 

"  Sitting  down  to  meditate  this  morning,  your  case 
comes  up  before  me,  and  I  feel  renewed  anxiety  for 
you.  There  are  times  when  I  seem  to  find  my  way 
to  the  river  of  God,  and  walk  along  its  banks,  and 
sit  down  under  the  shadow  of  the  Almighty.  O ! 
how  precious  then,  and  how  free,  appears  the  love  of 
Jesus !  How  vile  it  seems  not  to  fall  at  his  feet,  and 
give  up  all  to  his  service  I  And  now,  Mary,  I  ask 
again,  have  you  yet  yielded  your  heart  to  the  Sa- 
viour? Have  you  yet  bowed  to  his  blessed  will? 
Are  you  willing  to  have  him  rule  and  reign,  and  do 
with  you  as  seemeth  him  good  ?  The  fault  must  be 
on  your  part;  there  is  nothing  but  mercy,  glory, 
justice,  and  love  on  his.  We  love  you,  and  pray  for 
you." 

The  meeting-house  in  Manchester,  which  had  been 
closed  for  months  to  be  remodelled,  was  dedicated 


416  MEMOIR    OP 

anew  on  the  9th  of  April.  The  pastor  preached  on 
the  occasion,  and  the  following  hymn,  composed  by 
him,  was  sung.  A  new  and  very  encom*aging  era 
commenced  in  the  history  of  the  society  in  M.,  on  the 
reopening  of  their  sanctuary. 

"  The  heaven  of  heavens,  great  God,  in  vain 
Expands,  thy  glory  to  contain ; 

And  in  its  sapphire  blaze 
Th'  archangel,  with  its  starry  wings. 
Stands  veiled  and  trembling  while  he  sings. 

Unequal  to  thy  praise. 

"  And  will  th'  Almighty  condescend. 
In  temples  made  with  hands,  to  attend 

Devotion's  feeble  flame  ? 
The  pledge  is  given  !     Thy  words  declare 
That  humble  souls  shall  find  Thee  there 

Who  meet  in  Jesus'  name. 

"  The  thunders  of  thy  voice  are  o'er ; 
Thou  com'st  in  robes  of  fire  no  more ; 

All  is  serene  and  still ; 
And  yet,  around  the  altar  bowed, 
"We  feel  thy  glory  like  a  cloud. 
Encircling  Zion's  hill ! 

"  The  house  behold  !    Great  One  in  Three, 
That  we  have  here  prepared  for  Thee  ; 

And  in  thy  boundless  love 
Upon  its  walls  inscribe  thy  name, 
Upon  its  altar  light  the  flame 

That  glows  in  hearts  above. 

"  Here  often  have  we  met  and  prayed, 
And  seen  thy  wondrous  power  displayed, 

And  sung  of  sins  forgiven  ; 
O,  make  it  still  a  '  dreadful  place,' 
Thy  house  of  holiness  and  grace. 

And  still  the  gate  of  heaven. 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  417 

"  And  when  the  trumpet's  mighty  swell 
Shall  rive  the  dead  through  earth  and  hell, 

And  judgment  roll  along  ! 
Let  thousands  rise,  — to  join  the  strains 
That  echo  o'er  the  starry  plains,  — 
Who  here  began  the  song !  " 

To  his  eldest  brother,  April  22,  1846. 

"  Dear  Brother  T.  :  —  You  will  rejoice  to  hear 
that  we  are  occupying  again  our  sanctuary,  and  that 
every  thing  relating  to  it  has  terminated  well.  So, 
judging  from  the  old  Greek  proverb,  we  have  been 
blessed :  '  Coronal  opus  finis}  I  am  now  laid  under 
greater  responsibility  than  ever.  People  flock  to  see 
the  meeting-house,  and  to  hear  the  organ;  and  of 
course  I  ought  to  preach  more  faithfully.  On  the 
first  Sabbath  of  our  return,  my  mind  reverted  in- 
stinctively ^to  our  Saviour's  preaching  on  rocks,  in 
mountains,  on  the  sea-shore,  and  standing  on  the 
decks  of  boats;  also  to  our  brethren  at  the  West, 
and  elsewhere,  who  are  subjected  to  great  inconven- 
iences. If  such  comforts  as  we  enjoy,  be  for  the 
furtherance  of  the  gospel,  and  the  alluring  of  souls 
to  Christ,  we  should  rejoice  in  them.  If,  however, 
their  tendency  be  otherwise,  they  are  worse  than  in 
vain.  Ministers  always  have  trouble  enough  around 
them  or  in  prospect  to  keep  them  humble.  The 
nodus  of  the  equation  may  be  removed  out  of  one 
part  into  another,  but  cannot  be  entirely  eliminated* 
I  have  thorns  in  the  flesh,  which  have  tried  me  not  a 
little  for  some  time  past  —  a  pain  in  my  side,  with  a 
sciatic  tendency.  I  find  a  stern  opposition  within 
me  between  sin  and  holiness,  and  that  the  latter  may 
overcome  there  is  required  the  heavy  tug  of  war." 


418  MEMOIR    OP 

To  Mrs.  McFadden,  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania, 
April,  1846. 

"  Dear  Cousin  :  —  It  was  in  some  respects  painful 
to  hear  that  your  son  had  chosen  a  military  profes- 
sion. This  fact  was  rendered  more  so  by  hearing 
that  he  was  engaged  in  the  Texas  matters.  Being 
myself  by  birth  of  the  old  Federal  party,  I  have  been 
opposed  to  the  whole  Texas  transaction,  from  begin- 
ning to  end ;  and  now  the  prospect  looks  strong  for 
war.  Saturday  brought  news  that  the  two  armies 
are  within  sight  of  each  other,  and  yet,  —  forgive 
the  suggestion  of  any  thing  painful  on  the  subject. 
There  is  a  point  beyond  which  a  parent  cannot  go 
in  controlling  the  destinies  of  a  child,  after  he  has 
arrived  to  years  of  personal  responsibility.  It  is 
cheering  in  these  matters  to  feel  that  there  is  a  God, 
who  hears  prayer,  and  can  direct  every  tWing  for  the 
best.  In  the  mean  time,  let  us  not  forget  the  most 
important  theme  of  all  — '  Mizpah,'  the  motto  on 
your  seal.  It  contains  a  delightful  and  appropriate 
sentiment.  *  The  Lord  watch  between  me  and 
thee.'  Our  course  is  onward,  onward!  We  shall 
soon  be  in  eternity!  May  the  Lord  indeed  watch 
over  us,  and  to  his  name  we  will  give  the  glory." 

To  his  brother  T.,  May  15.  / 

"  We  regret  very  much  to  learn  from  your  last  of 
the  continued  ill  health  of  sister  C.  You  are  indeed 
tried,  but  God  doubtless  intends  the  trial  for  your 
good.  It  is  difficult  without  some  experience  to  be 
able  really  to  sympathize  with  the  suffering.  Be- 
sides, we  know  not  how  much  evil  there  is  ifi  our 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  419 

hearts,  till  we  have  been  tested  by  affliction.  It  is 
one  thing  to  love  a  Being  who  is  always  doing  us 
good  in  such  a  way  as  to  make  us  happy  noiv^  and 
quite  another  to  love  a  Being,  however  much  we 
may  be  assured  of  his  good-will  towards  us  in  the 
main,  yet  who  at  present  seems  to  delight  in  trying 
us.  The  most  important  part  of  religion  consists  in 
submission ;  and  the  clearest  proof  that  we  can  give 
of  discipleship  may  consist  in  quietly  tvaitifig-  on  the 
Lord.V 

Journal.  Same  date :  "  Am  in  some  respects 
passing  through  a  cloud.  My  own  health  is  quite 
poor,  and  my  dear  wife  is  confined  to  her  room,  sick. 
Within  a  few  days  I  have  had  at  times  a  most  hor- 
ribly rebellious  spirit;  but  this  morning  I  enjoy  a 
calmness  which  I  trust  results  from  faith  in  Christ." 

"Hawley,  June  29,  1846. 

"  My  dear  Wife  :  —  Soon  after  my  last  letter  to 
you,  I  left  Charlemont.  On  my  way  hither,  I  saw  a 
pretty  little  building,  about  as  large  as  a  lawyer's 
office,  by  the  roadside,  and  was  told  it  is  occupied  as 
a  study  by  a  young  man  about  twenty,  the  son  of  a 
shoemaker.  I  wish  it  had  been  convenient  for  me  to 
give  him  a  call.  I  have  since  been  assured  he  is  an 
exceedingly  interesting  young  man.  I  am  also  in- 
formed of  another  young  man  who  is  anxious  to  get 
an  education,  and  has  done  what  he  can  towards  it. 
Thus  you  find  mind  everywhere  bursting  forth  among 
these  hills  and  mountains,  like  the  springs  that  give 
rise  to  brooks  and  end  in  rivers.  Mind  dwells  amid 
mountains,  and   loves   the   lofty   scenes   of  nature. 


420  MEMOIR    OF 

What  little  mind  I  have  was  derived  under  God 
from  the  hills  of  this  towh.  Had  I  been  horn  among 
them,  and  not  on  the  sands  of  the  Cape,  I  am  not 
certain  but  I  should  have  had  more  talent.  And 
again ;  located  as  I  am  on  the  level  of  the  sea-shore,  I 
am  afraid  what  of  mind  I  have  will  die  out.  My  bro- 
thers, sons  of  the  mountains,  must  outstrip  me  as  A 
matter  of  necessity.  Indeed,  man  seems  to  be  very 
much  of  a  vegetable,  depending  greatly  upon  the 
side  of  the  hill,  and  the  nature  of  the  soil  where  he 
grows.  Plains  and  valleys  are  not  the  nurseries  of 
genius.  I  have  been  to  the  old  homestead,  surveyed 
the  spot  where  stood  our  log-house ;  the  deep  trenched 
brook  running  by  it ;  the  flourishing  orchard  which 
has  grown  up  around  it ;  the  avalanche  bank  with 
the  spring  gushing  out  of  its  side,  whose  waters  so 
often  refreshed  me.  I  searched  in  vain  for  the  rose- 
bushes that  grew  by  our  door ;  but  plucking  a  few 
currants,  left  the  place  with  fond,  tender  regret." 

"  Hawley,  July  2. 
"  I  must  leave  my  aged  mother. 
For  Israel's  God  to  keep, 
And  hope  that  by  some  other 

The  tears  that  she  may  weep 
Will  all  be  wiped,  and  life's  last  billow 
Roll  gently  o'er  her  pillow 

When  in  death  she  falls  asleep." 

"  Manchester,  July  11.  —  Awaked  a  few  nights 
since  in  great  distress  of  mind.  Hell  seemed  open 
before  me,  and  its  flaming  billows  rolling  at  my  feet. 
Directly  the  love  of  the  Saviour  came  gushing  over 
me.  He  appeared  to  stand  at  my  side,  putting  his 
arm  under  me  and  uttering  words  of  consolation. 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  421 

How  precious  did  he  then  appear;  his  grace  how 
rich  ;  my  sins  how  great ! " 

Early  in  August  of  this  year  Mr.  T.  was  called  to 
part  with  a  prominent  member  of  his  parish,  a  gen- 
tleman who  had  for  years  been  a  sea-captain  and 
was,  at  least  once,  wrecked.  His  death  was  sudden 
and  heart-rending,  the  disease  being  probably  a 
decided  case  of  Asiatic  cholera.  Speaking  of  this 
friend  while  sick,  Mr.  T.  says :  "  I  went  out  into  the 
woods  this  morning,  and  endeavored  to  struggle  for 
him  in  prayer." 

To  his  youngest  brother,  Princeton,  New  Jersey, 
August  5,  1846. 

"  My  dear  J. :  —  Our  long  tried  and  noble-hearted 
friend.  Captain  R.  T.,  is  no  more.  He  expired  this 
afternoon  at  half  past  one.  His  case  exhibited  all 
the  symptoms  (perhaps  there  were  one  or  two  excep- 
tions) of  the  cholera  maligna.  For  several  days  he 
had  spoken  of  being  ill.  At  nine  last  evening  he 
was,  however,  but  slightly  indisposed,  and  at  ten, 
said  he  thought  he  should  rest  well.  About  midnight 
he  was  seized  with  inconceivably  dreadful  agonies, 
which  continued  till  morning.  He  became  speech- 
less and  apparently  insensible  at  eight,  a.  m.  It  was 
too  late  for  me  to  say  a  word  to  him  when  I  first  saw 
him. 

"  August  6,  eleven,  a.  m.  —  The  funeral  ceremony 
is  over.  At  seven  this  morning  we  followed  our 
generous  friend  to  the  grave.  We  were  obliged  to 
hasten  his  interment.  I  feel  like  a  little  child ;  the 
gushing  fountains  flow.  I  think  of  his  excellent 
36 


422  MEMOIR    OF 

qualities ;  his  sweet  smiles ;  his  benevolence.  How 
many  storms  he  had  weathered !  In  what  a  gale  he 
has  gone  down.  Yours  truly,  with  M.'s  kind  re- 
gards." 

August  18  of  this  year  Rev.  Mr.  Nickels,  of  Glou- 
cester was  called  to  part  with  an  only  son,  aged  live 
years.  Soon  after  the  death  of  this  child,  the  father 
"SVTote  Mr.  T.  requesting  him  to  compose  a  little 
memorial  of  the  departed,  in  verse.  Mr.  N.'s  letter 
bears  date,  New  London,  Connecticut,  whither  the 
afflicted  parents  had  gone  to  sojourn  awhile  with 
kindred.  The  subjoined  lines  were  prepared  in  com- 
pliance with  the  above  request. 

C.  MARDENBOROUGH  NICIvELS. 

"  Near  where  loud  roar  the  angry  waves, 

Along  the  rocky  shore, 
And  sailors  often  find  their  graves. 

Two  kindred  souls  adore  ; 
And  with  them  there  was  one, 
From  heaven  received,  an  only  son.  * 

"  Whene'er  I  sought  their  love  to  share, 

And  met  the  bounding  child. 
To  see  his  curly  locks  of  hair, 

And  mark  how  sweet  he  smiled, 
Would  soothe  my  cares  away; 
A  cherub  round  me  seemed  to  play. 

**  Oft,  when  some  little  thing  I  sung, 
For  him  or  for  his  mother, 
Around  my  chair  he  fondly  hung. 

And  asked  me  for  another ; 
Or  ran  to  get  his  toys. 
And  showed  them  to  express  his  joys. 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  423 

"  And  then,  to  hear  his  father  tell, 
How,  in  his  simple  way, 
His  eyes  with  tears  for  sin  would  swell, 

And  heartily  would  pray. 
And  Jesus'  words  repeat, 
As  if  he  thought  them  very  sweet ! 

"  The  other  day  I  sought  the  door 

Alas,  poor  Mardenborough ! 
He  met  me  with  his  kiss  no  more  ; 

His  parents  full  of  sorrow. 
Showed  me  his  little  bed. 
And  where  he  lay,  but  cold  and  dead ! 

"  Beneath  the  stroke  of  grief,  they  felt, 
How  much  their  hearts  were  broken. 
As  round  the  mercy-seat  we  knelt, 

Cannot  in  words  be  spoken. 
'Twas  hard  to  see  him  die. 
Though  angels  kindly  hovered  nigh ! 

"  *  I  long  to  go,'  one  day  he  gently  sighed, 

*  And  live  with  Him  in  heaven. 
Who  children  loved,  and  came  and  died, 

That  we  might  be  forgiven ; 
I  long  his  face  to  see. 
Pray,  mother,  would  you  go  with  me  ?  * 

"  A  dream  came  o'er  him  like  a  wave. 
He  seemed  Death's  vale  to  tread, 
Till  with  a  kiss  that  Jesus  gave, 

The  strange  enchantment  fled ; 
He  breathed  to  earth,  farewell ! 
And  with  his  Lord  began  to  dwell ! 

Mr.  T.  ^and  wife  attended  the  annual  meeting  of 
the  American  Board,  September,  1846,  at  New 
Haven,  Connecticut.  They  remained  with  her  bro- 
ther. Rev.  E.  S.  Cleaveland,  until  Wednesday  of  the 
next  week,  when  she  visited  friends  in  New  York, 
and  he  started  on  a  genealogical  tour  for  the  purpose 


424  MEMOIR    OF 

of  collecting  facts  in  regard  to  the  Cleaveland  fam- 
ily, going  first  to  Hartford,  thence  to  Haddam  and 
East  Haddam.  From  the  latter  he  wrote  the  follow- 
ing to  his  wife  :  — 

"  On  the  way  was  pointed  out  to  me  the  spot 
where  stood  the  house  in  which  Brainerd,  the  mis- 
sionary, was  born.  Dr.  Griffin's  native  place  was 
the  village  of  Millington,  or  rather  just  on  the  edge 
of  it,  in  East  Haddam.  Dr.  G.  had  a  brother  who 
lived  on  the  old  homestead,  or  near  it,  and  who  had, 
with  a  strong  mind  and  a  large  frame,  exerted  great 
influence  in  town  and  county  affairs. 

"  I  have  found  nothing  of  a  documentary  nature 
thus  far  respecting  the  Cleavelands.  They  are  re- 
membered through  grandparents,  and  the  ministers 
are  spoken  of  as  bright  and  active.  The  Cleaveland 
who  lies  buried  in  New  Haven,  is  said  to  have  been 
as  '  smart  as  a  steel-trap,'  a  man  of  strong  sense  and 
abounding  in  wit. 

"  N.  B.  —  It  is  impossible  to  stir  any  whither 
without  paying  ten  cents  at  a  toll-gate,  and  yet  the 
roads  are  most  miserable.  Another  trouble  is,  that 
here  the  business  which  should  be  done  by  counties, 
is  done  by  towns.  Hence  great  confusion  and  inse- 
curity of  records." 

From  H.  he  visited  Colchester,  Norwich,  and 
Canterbury,  searching  them  all  for  facts  connected 
with  the  above  named  family  history.  Rev.  John 
Cleaveland,  for  more  than  half  a  century  a  minister 
of  the  gospel  in  Essex  (Chebacco),  Massachusetts, 
was  a  native  of  Canterbury.     So  important  to  his 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  425 

undertaking  did  Mr.  T.  consider  the  records  of  the 
first  church  in  C,  that  he  procured  the  loan  of  them 
till  he  could  copy  them  entire  from  the  organization 
of  the  church,  1711,  onward  for  one  hundred  years. 

Tuesday,  September  21,  he  joined  his  wife  in 
Plainfield,  where  some  of  her  kindred  were  residents. 
Having  fully  explored  the  archives  of  the  several 
towns  alluded  to,  he  with  Mrs.  T.  returned  to  Man- 
chester on  the  25th. 

In  his  journal,  October  4,  he  speaks  of  sickness 
as  somewhat  prevalent  among  his  people,  and  notes" 
solemn  deaths.  Refers  particularly  to  intelligence 
recently  received  that  one  of  the  young  men  of  M. 
had  died  when  only  a  few  days  out  at  sea,  and 
says :  "  He  was  one  of  the  converts  in  a  recent  revi- 
val. I  remember  what  I  presume  was  the  last  pub- 
lic prayer  he  offered  in  our  chapel.  He  knelt  down 
in  great  simplicity."  Under  the  same  date  Mr.  T. 
ojpserves :  "  I  returned  with  some  religious  emotion 
from  the  meeting  of  the  Board,  but  have  lost  it  by 
failing  to  watch  and  pray.  Would  fain  renew  my 
purpose  to  walk  closer  with  God. 

"  Thursday,  Nov.  5.  —  News  has  just  come  that 
brother  Jewett,  pastor  at  Gloucester,  west  parish,  is 
dead.  Why  has  he  been  taken,  and  I  left  ?  He  was 
a  dear,  good  brother.  My  tears  flow  at  the  remem- 
brance of  his  loveliness.  I  now  wish  that  I  had 
done  more  for  him.  How  comforting  to  believe  that 
he  has  gone  to  a  better  world!  I  have  just  been 
reading  the  17th  chapter  of  John.  Precious  brother ! 
thy  memory  is  indeed  fragrant,  and  thou  art  with 
Jesus.  I  feel  that  we  do  not  sympathize  enough 
with  afflicted  ministers.  The  Lord  help  me  to  be 
36*  . 


426  MEMOIR    OF   REV.   0.   A.   TAYLOR. 

more  faithful.  10.  —  Exchanged  last  Sabbath  with 
brother  Nickels,  Gloucester.  Read  much  while  at 
G.  in  the  life  of  John  Foster.  He  was  a  most  pow- 
erful writer,  but  his  good  thoughts  are  intermin- 
gled with  dangerous  errors.  I  found  statements 
which  have  occasioned  me  much  sorrow.  22.  —  The 
last  week  was  one  of  great  darkness  and  conflict. 

"  Dec.  9.  —  Attended  at  Essex  the  funeral  of  bro- 
ther Crowell's  son  Washington.  He  was  preparing 
for  the  medical  profession.  Brother  C.  is  deeply 
afflicted.  31.  —  Where  wifl  another  year  at  this 
date  find  me  ?  " 


CHAPTER  XL 

PASTORAL  LIFE  FROM  JANUARY,  1847,  TO  JANUARY,  1851. 

We  commence  this  chapter  with  a  quotation  from 
his  journal,  dated  the  first  day  of  1847.  "  I  always 
think  at  the  opening  of  a  year,  that  it  may  prove  my 
last.  4.  —  Monday.  Had  a  season  of  unusual  spirit- 
ual comfort  yesterday  ;  it  was  such  as  I  have  seldom 
enjoyed,  though  the  Sabbath  previous,  at  Rockport, 
was  something  like  it." 

March  1.  —  Alluding  to  the  death  of  one  in  early 
life,  he  observes  :  "  It  is  very  painful  to  see  our  young 
people  dying  off  as  they  do."  Of  an  individual,  who, 
while  professing  religion,  was  dishonoring  it,  for  the 
sake  of  gain^  he  says  :  "  My  hope  is  that  he  will  have 
worldly  afflictions  enough  to  save  his  soul,  for  it  is 
now,  I  am  certain,  in  the  utmost  peril."  To  a  re- 
mark made  by  some  one  to  him,  that  the  race  of 
creeds  is  run,  he  replied  :  "  All  that  we  want  of  creeds 
is  to  chain  us  to  the  Bible,  and  why  some  persons  are 
opposed  to  creeds  is  because  they  desire  to  break 
away  from  that  book."  Near  the  close  of  this  month, 
having  recorded  in  his  journal  the  death  of  a  young 
woman,  he  adds :  "  I  feel  as  though  I  had  lost  a  sis- 
ter. Farewell,  my  dear  friend,  farewell,  till  we  meet 
at  the  judgment.  Feel  that  I  must  lean  on  God 
more."     Once,  having  attended  the  funeral  of  an  in- 


428  MEMOIR    OF 

« 

dividual,  who,  though  furnishing  some  pretty  clear 
evidence  of  piety,  was  yet  very  worldly,  Mr.  T.  re- 
marked :  "  This  man  seems  to  me  to  have  travelled 
to  heaven  backwards,  not  even  condescending  to  look 
ioiuards  it,  until  he  found  that  he  could  no  longer 
hold  on  to  the  world ;  then  he  began  to  turn  about 
and  gaze  upward." 

"  April  3.  —  Saw  announced  in  a  religious  paper 
the  death  of  Rev.  Theodore  S.  Wright,  pastor  of  the 
colored  Presbyterian  Church,  New  York  city.  I  was 
acquainted  with  him  in  Schenectady.  His  father 
resided  there,  and  this  son  recited  to  me  in  Virgil. 
We  also  attended  a  colored  Sabbath-school  and  an 
evening  meeting  together.  His  was  a  lovely  spirit, 
animated  with  hope  for  his  brethren  in  oppression. 
In  his  death  I  feel  that  I  have  lost  a  brother.  There 
was  no  tinge  of  black  in  his  affections.  5.  —  This 
week  comes  my  annual  trial.  I  shall  stand  firm  on 
my  covenanted  salary,  however  things  may  turn.  I 
leave  the  result  with  God.  He  brought  me  here,  and 
if  he  sees  fit  to  send  me  away,  I  hope  he  will  enable 
me  to  bow  in  sweet  resignation  to  his  holy  will. 
7.  —  Evening.  Was  informed  about  five  this  after- 
noon that  every  thing  went  well  in  the  parish  meet- 
ing. 8.  —  Heard  this  afternoon  that  Rev.  Mr.  Mans- 
field, of  Wenham,  has  just  deceased.  I  had  arranged 
to  go  and  see  him,  but  have  been  disappointed  by 
the  failing  of  my  own  health.  Dear,  lovely  brother ! 
He  is,  I  question  not,  with  his  Master  in  heaven. 
Mansfield,  Jewett,  and  Brown  were  kindred  spirits. 
Soon  my  time  may  come.  How  important  to  do 
now  what  our  hands  find  to  do."  April  12  he  at- 
tended the  funeral  of  Mr.  Mansfield. 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  .429 

The  greater  part  of  May,  the  whole  of  June,  and  a 
portion  of  July  were  devoted  to  a  western  tour,  in 
which  he  was  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  some  of 
his  parishioners.  Taking  leave  of  his  people  for  only 
such  a  period  was  quite  affecting  to  him.  "  The 
whole  scene,"  he  says,  "  has  served  to  bring  up  before 
me  the  nearness  of  the  time,  when  my  people  and  I 
must  part  forever."  Referring  to  his  private  journal, 
he  thus  writes :  "  Here  for  the  present  I  close. 
Whether  my  fingers  ever  move  along  this  paper 
again,  will  depend  on  the  ordering  of  God.  The 
Lord  keep  and  bless  my  dear  flock." 

Just  before  leaving  home  he  delivered,  by  request, 
an  address  to  the  "  Ladies'  Adult  and  Juvenile  Mis- 
sionary Association,"  of  M.  We  quote  his  conclu- 
sion :  "  Go  on,  ladies,  with  the  great  work  in  which 
you  are  engaged,  resolved  not  to  cease  from  it  till 
each  heart  here  is  filled  with  the  spirit  of  the  prayer 
Thy  Kingdom  come ;  till  every  agent  asking  for  con- 
tributions to  this  cause,  receives  a  welcome  from  all 
this  community,  and  your  children  themselves  stand 
ready  to  go  on  missions  to  the  most  distant  portions 
of  the  earth ;  yea,  till  every  parent  on  hearing  that  a 
child  has  perished  while  prosecuting  the  missionary 
enterprise,  shall  exclaim,  as  did  the  mother  of  the 
murdered  Lyman,  "  The  will  of  the  Lord  be  done.  I 
wish  I  had  another  son  to  give  away  to  him." 

During  this  tour  he  corresponded  frequently  with 
the  "  Boston  TravellerP  From  a  few  of  his  letters 
condensed  extracts  are  here  inserted.  While  on  the 
Pennsylvania  canal,  alluding  to  that  part  of  his  jour- 
ney already  performed,  he  says :  — 

"As  to  railways,  etc.,  it  i^pleasant^  in  certain  circum- 


430  MEMOIR    OP 

stances,  to  shoot  through  the  country  like  a  streak  of 
lightning ;  but  they  are  not  the  things  for  poets  or 
philosophers.  '  Give  me  the  man  of  one  book,'  it  is 
sometimes  said.  Give  me  a  man  of  a  knapsack,  or 
a  horse,  or  a  horse  and  carriage,  instead  of  railroads, 
for  mental,  philosophical,  and  poetical  purposes. 
Such  a  one  will  not  go  over  so  much  ground,  but  he 
will  obtain  more  elements  of  thought.  Why,  he 
might  as  well  be  taken  upon  the  wings  of  an  eagle, 
and  be  borne  along  through  the  air  as  in  a  car.  How 
aggravating!  There  comes  mountain  scenery,  a 
beautiful  valley,  a  fairy-like  land,  —  you  wish  to  catch 
sight  of  it,  and  thrust  your  face  out  of  the  window 
for  the  purpose,  in  danger  of  having  it  knocked  off; 
or  you  run  and  take  your  stand  for  a  moment  on  the 
front  of  the  cars,  at  the  peril  of  your  life,  and  under 
the  interdiction  of  orders,  but  it  is  too  late ;  you  have 
indeed  caught  one  glimpse  of  it,  and  it  is  gone. 

"  Pittsburg-,  Saturday  night.  —  We  were  introduced 
into  a  room  under  which  were  congregated  all  the 
negroes  of  the  establishment,  sixteen  in  number  at 
least,  to  my  certain  knowledge,  who  kept  up  a  con- 
stant vociferation  beneath  us.  Why,  said  I  to  my 
wife,  it  would  seem  that  all  the  demons  of  the  place 
are  holding  a  jubilee  below !  Then,  we  could  have 
written  our  names  on  the  mantel-piece,  in  what 
seemed  the  dust  of  ages ;  and  in  the  morning,  a  black, 
heavy  ^column  of  smoke  saluted  our  eyes,  seeming  to 
come  directly  out  of  the  ground,  and  rolling  toward 
the  heavens.  I  almost  felt  myself  at  length  near  the 
mouth  of  hell ;  and  without  half  as  much  exaggera- 
tion as  the  ancients  employed,  could  imagine  myself 
on  the  borders  of  old  Pluto's  dominions.     Nor  were 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  431 

matters  improved,  when  v^e  discovered  that  the 
city  has  no  directory  by  which  to  ascertain  the  resi- 
dence of  any  of  its  70  or  100,000  inhabitants,  within 
a  circuit  of  five  miles ;  nor  when  we  met  a  man,  as 
soon  as  we  stepped  out  at  the  corner  of  our  hotel,  all 
covered  with  blood,  and  apparently  badly  wounded, 
and  with  a  large  crowd  about  him.  He  proved  to 
be  one  from  the  Texan  scene,  and  who  had  just  been 
fighting.  However,  all  this  is  the  dark  side  of  the 
picture.  Things  soon  began  to  assume  a  brighter  as- 
pect. As  I  wallied  along  the  street  at  one  time,  I 
heard  the  voice  of  singing,  pious  singing,  and  met 
devout-looking  persons,  with  prayer-books  or  hymn- 
books.  We  obtained  also  a  better  room,  and  oppo- 
site to  it  there  was  a  meeting'  of  the  pious.  At  the 
proper  hour  we  all  resorted  to  Dr.  Herron's  church, 
and  heard  a  most  excellent  discourse ;  sweet  hymns, 
too,  were  sung  to  fine  music,  and  we  soon  began  to 
feel  ourselves  in  the  midst  of  God's  family,  and  at 
home  among  them.  During  a  stay  in  Pittsburg,  we 
went  into  the  coal-mines  there,  to  the  extent  of  400 
yards,  in  a  car  drawn  by  dogs.  We  sympathized 
with  persons  who  have  to  spend  their  days  in  such 
miserable  places,  getting  about  one  and  three-quarter 
cents  per  bushel  by  digging,  and  earning  at  that  rate 
not  far  from  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  per  day.  We 
also  visited  the  United  States  Arsenal,  and  exam- 
ined some  of  the  pistols,  bullets,  etc. ;  wandered 
through  the  forges  and  foundries  where  iron  is 
moulded  into  every  shape  as  if  it  were  wax.  The 
work  here  is  hot,  and  it  is  said  that  none  but  temper- 
ance men  can  long  endure  it.  We  lost  one  of  the 
most  striking  features  of  P.  by  coming  into  it  on  Sat- 


432  MEMOIR    OF 

urday  night.  It  would  have  looked  far  more  Plutonic 
and  infernal,  we  are  told,  had  we  entered  the  city  on 
a  night  when  these  fires  glow  all  around. 

On  the  Ohio.  —  "  We  fell  into  most  delightful,  be- 
nevolent, and  Christian  hands  at  Cincinnati;  and 
when  we  came  away,  it  was  like  parting  with  bro- 
ther and  sister.  We  cannot  forget  the  pleasant 
intercourse  we  had  in  that  city  with  several  Chris- 
tian friends,  and  especially  with  the  family  into 
whose  bosom  we,  though  total  strangers,  were  most 
cordially  received. 

"  We  have  also  most  agreeable  company  on  board 
our  present  boat ;  and  among  others,  several  mission- 
aries, and  the  Rev.  David  Greene,  who  is  travelling 
for  his  health.  The  weather  too  is  enchanting. 
Nothing,  indeed,  could  exceed  the  quiet  beauty  of  the 
scenery  last  night.  The  sky  was  perfectly  clear; 
the  moon  shining  serenely  bright ;  and  the  ruling  star 
of  the  evening  just  above  the  western  horizon ;  while 
the  night  threw  only  obscurity  enough  over  the  woods 
and  the  waters  to  give  sublimity  to  the  whole.  I 
walked  the  upper  deck  till  10  o'clock,  and  thought 
of  the  nations  of  aborigines  that  have  sported  along 
these  banks  and  over  these  waters ;  also  of  the  glo- 
rious prospects  opening  before  us  as  a  people,  pro- 
vided we  take  God  for  our  guide,  and  carry  out  the 
noble  principles  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 
Oh,  Slavery !  Slavery  I  Freedom  lies  on  our  right 
hand,  and  slavery  on  our  left !  We  feel  it  drawing 
us,  as  with  a  magnetism  of  curses.  Thanks  to  Gody 
though  dark  the  prospect  at  present,  with  a  slight 
change  of  the  expression  of  the  old  Roman,  I  can  say, 
*  Delenda  est  servitus  I ' 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  433 

"  Slavery  must  be  destroyed.  It  is  inconsistent 
with  the  spirit  of  all  our  institutions.  Freedom 
frowns  upon  it  from  every  quarter  of  our  land.  The 
world  is  against  it.     God's  anathema  rests  upon  it. 

"  On  the  Mississippi.  —  We  looked  for  the  Missis- 
sippi river  some  little  time  before  we  came  to  it,  but 
could  hardly  discover  it.  Many  a  little  pebble  brook 
of  a  stream  has  danced  and  roared,  and  made  much 
more  commotion.  There  was  no  mistaking  its  char- 
acter, however,  when  we  had  fairly  reached  it,  and 
began  to  sail  along  on  its  broad  bosom.  Moreover, 
we  had  no  sooner  advanced  a  little  way  up  this 
'  Father  of  Waters,'  than  we  were  struck  with  the 
fragrance  that  came  floating  with  the  breeze,  from 
the  blossoms  of  the  cotton-wood,  and  the  vine,  and 
from  various  wild  flowers.  The  day  was  most 
charming;  one  of  those  (the  heat  excepted,  which 
was  somewhat  intense)  to  which  the  poet  has  re- 
ferred, when  he  said :  — 

"  *  Sweet  day,  so  cool,  so  calm,  so  bright, 
.  The  bridal  of  the  earth  and  sky ; 
The  dew  will  weep  thy  fall  at  night, 
For  thou  must  die.' 

"  Still  more  beautiful  was  the  evening ;  the  moon 
full  and  clear,  the  breeze  gentle,  the  air  fragrant,  the 
waters  silvery,  and  all  nature  wrapped  in  silence. 
Even  the  drift-wood  looks  as  if  it  had  grown  old 
and  decayed  while  on  its  long  voyage.  On  the 
waters  flow,  like  the  tide  and  affairs  of  life.  It  is 
now  drawing  near  the  evening  of  Saturday,  and  one 
thought  oppresses  us ;  we  shall  probably  not  reach 
St.  Louis  before  midnight,  and  perhaps  not  until 
37 


434  MEMOIR    OF 

Sabbath  morning.  This  we  had  not  intended.  We 
embarked  in  season,  but  our  foundering  upon  the 
sand-bank  has  caused  about  ten  hours  delay.  What 
shall  be  done  in  this  case  ?  The  Christians  among 
us  are  considering  the  question.  We  commenced 
our  journey  firmly  determined  not  to  travel  on  the 
Sabbath  ;  but  here  is  a  dilemma.  There  is  a  female 
missionary  among  us,  who,  not  long  since,  refusing 
to  proceed  on  the  Lord's  day,  was  left  behind  at 
Wheeling,  at  which  place  she  had  arrived  by  stage ; 
while  others,  professors,  would  go  on.  But  her  con- 
fidence in  God  was  not  misplaced ;  for  on  Monday 
morning  another  and  lighter  steamboat  came  along, 
which  in  the  course  of  the  day  passed  by  the  one 
she  had  declined  taking  and  which  had  struck  on  a 
sand-bank,  being  thereby  unable  to  advance ;  so  that 
the  faithful  missionary  not  only  kept  her  conscience 
clear,  but  arrived  first  at  her  destination. 

">S/.  Louis.  —  A  few  days  since  one  Catholic  child, 
playing  in  the  street,  was  heard  to  say  to  another, 
'  The  next  wai'  will  be  between  the  Catholics  and 
Protestants.'  My  hope  is  that  Romanism  will  melt 
down  and  entirely  vanish  before  the  enlightening 
influences  of  Protestantism.  I  fear,  however,  we  are 
nourishing  an  enemy  in  our  bosom  to  be  thrust  out 
at  length  by  fire  and  sword.  I  am  exceedingly 
rejoiced  to  find  Americanism  everywhere  bearing 
sway  in  this  city,  and  I  may  say  through  the  West. 
The  same  books  are  used  in  schools ;  the  same  tunes 
and  hymns  are  everywhere  sung,  in  the  house  of 
God ;  the  same  papers  of  general  religious  interest 
are  read ;  the  same  information  circulates  as  at  the 
East.     In  none  of  the  Protestant  institutions  that  I 


REV.    OLIVER   A.    TAYLOR.  435 

visited,  was  I  more  interested  than  in  a  high  school, 
taught  in  this  city  by  a  graduate  of  Amherst  Col- 
lege. The  establishment  is  his  own,  entirely.  I  have 
found  nothing  that  goes  beyond  it  anywhere  in  New 
England.  A  clergyman  of  high  standing  said  of  the 
proprietor,  he  is  the  only  man  professing  to  be  a 
Christian,  a  minister  of  Christ,  whom  I  could  advise 
to  teach  school,  rather  than  to  preach,  as  a  means  of 
greater  good,  other  things  being  equal.  His  school 
attracts  the  Catholics  themselves.  As  yet  they  have 
found  themselves  wholly  unable  to  compete  with  it. 
Let  such  schools  be  multiplied  under  the  influence 
of  true  religion,  as  this  is,  and  nothing  can  be  more 
favorable  to  the  prosperity  of  our  country,  and  noth- 
ing more  fatal  to  Catholicism. 

"  I  had  a  long  conversation  with  one  of  the  steam- 
boat captains.  Himself  and  father  were  natives  of 
Virginia,  and  were  brought  up  among  slaves,  though 
his  mother  was  a  New  England  lady.  After  speaking 
against  Garrisonism,  he  declared  his  utter  abhorrence 
of  slavery  in  all  its  forms ;  spoke  freely  of  the  ever- 
lasting perplexity  it  occasioned  him  in  his  present 
business ;  said  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  conceive 
how  any  true  ministers  could  uphold  the  system, 
or  do  any  thing  to  countenance  it ;  and  solemnly 
avowed  his  belief  that  it  must  hasten  to  a  close. 

^'Nauvoo.  —  We  found  ourselves  passing  through 
the  various  apartments  of  the  temple,  and  gazing 
abroad  from  its  lofty  dome,  upon  the  scenery  around 
us.  As  a  piece  of  architecture,  this  building  be- 
longs to  no  order  but  its  own  —  the  Nauvoo  —  being 
neither  Composite  nor  Egyptian,  but  a  defiance  of 
all  orders. 


436  MEMOIR    OP 

"  Peoria,  —  Having  rested  ourselves  awhile  this 
morning,  we  took  an  early  dinner,  and  then  rode  out 
back  of  the  village  towards  Bishop  Chase's  Jubilee 
College,  to  see  the  bluffs,  barrens,  and  prairies.  It 
was  a  beautiful  afternoon,  though  warm.  Not  a 
cloud  was  discoverable  that  indicated  rain.  We 
took  not  even  our  ordinary  thick  garments  with  us, 
and  went  out  about  eight  miles,  interesting  ourselves 
in  every  thing  by  the  way  —  hills,  valleys,  birds, 
flowers,  and  emigrants;  and,  among  other  things, 
entering  one  of  the  Illinois  schools,  and  giving  it  a 
thorough  examination.  We  then  turned  homeward, 
and  had  made  two  or  three  miles  of  our  w^ay,  when 
a  cloud  began  to  rise  in  the  north-west,  from  which 
peals  of  thunder  rolled.  We  hardly  feared  it  at  first, 
but  nearer  and  more  near  it  came,  w^hile  we  hurried 
on  and  still  hoped  to  escape  the  approaching  tem- 
pest. At  length,  when  we  were  within  about  two 
miles  of  our  hotel,  it  had  gathered  all  around  us ; 
over  our  heads  were  sharp  flashes  and  heavy  peals 
of  thunder,  and  rain  began  to  descend.  We  feared 
for  the  horses,  lest  some  of  those  terrific  reports, 
with  the  glare  of  vivid  lightning,  should  render  them 
uncontrollable ;  and  being  obliged  as  we  were,  much 
of  the  way,  to  descend  a  steep  bluff,  we  felt  that 
great  danger  might  await  us.  Scarcely  had  we  ar- 
ranged ourselves  for  the  coming  storm,  when  the 
lightning  appeared  to  flash  directly  across  the  horses, 
instantly  followed  by  one  of  those  dreadful  bolts 
that  seem  almost  to  rend  the  universe  in  pieces. 
The  animals  were  startled,  but  remained  controlla- 
ble, and  on,  on  we  hurried.  When  we  were  within 
sight  of  the  hotel  itself,  the  rain  began  to  pour  down 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  437 

in  torrents.  In  an  instant  after  reaching  it,  thick, 
heavy  hail,  that  cut  and  lacerated  the  horses,  began 
to  descend,  yet  under  the  guidance  of  a  very  skilful 
driver,  they  were  permitted  to  rush  forward  to  a  shed 
connected  with  the  stable,  the  door  of  which  was 
instantly  thrown  open  by  one  present,  watching  the 
scene;  they  passed  through  and  we  were  saved  — 
seemingly  the  narrowest  escape  from  destruction  we 
ever  experienced.  Hail,  often  two  inches  in  diame- 
ter and  almost  uniformly  of  an  inch  and  a  half,  was 
pouring  down  all  around  like  showers  of  stones. 
The  roof  of  the  building  under  which  we  were  shel- 
tered, was  almost  broken  in  by  the  perpetual  batter- 
ing of  heaven's  artillery.  The  roar  of  thunder  could 
be  equalled  only  by  that  continually  heard  on  a  field 
of  battle.  Floods  of  water,  mingled  with  the  hail, 
came  down  as  if  a  lake  had  suddenly  been  over- 
turned upon  us.  The  storm  opened  its  fearful  at- 
tack about  ten  minutes  after  four,  p.  m.  At  the  end 
of  fifteen  minutes  the  sun  had  begun  to  shine  and 
a  brilliant  rainbow  was  seen  spanning  the  south- 
eastern heavens.  In  twenty  minutes  the  storm  was 
past ;  but  what  a  spectacle  it  had  left  behind !  A 
river  was  literally  running  down  the  streets,  sweep- 
ing every  thing  before  it.  The  ground  was  every- 
where covered  with  those  large  hail-stones;  and 
under  the  eaves  of  buildings  they  were  lying  at 
least  four  inches  deep.  Windows  exposed  to  the 
storm  had  on  all  sides  been  dashed  to  atoms.  Some 
of  the  roofs,  thinly  shingled,  without  boards,  in  the 
manner  of  this  country,  had  been  penetrated  by  the 
hail.  Horses  full  of  wounds,  that  had  dashed  furi- 
ously through  the  streets  until  exhausted,  were  uni- 
37* 


438  MEMOIR    OF 

versally  to  be  seen.  Trees  were  stripped  of  their 
leaves  and  tender  branches,  aud  stood  desolate,  as  if 
they  had  been  rifled  by  contending  armies  on  a  field 
of  battle.  Men's  hats  had  been  crushed  through 
like  paper,  by  the  icy  balls,  and  their  arms,  when 
exposed,  were  palsied.  The  first  flash  of  lightning, 
alluded  to  above,  had  struck  a  house,  nearly  killing 
a  child;  the  second  struck  another,  tearing  it  in 
pieces.  Fruit  was  destroyed,  and  gardens  were  laid ' 
entirely  waste.  "  Taken  altogether,  it  was  the  sub- 
limest  spectacle  I  ever  saw ;  and  we  bowed  in  grati- 
tude to  find  ourselves  still  in  the  land  of  the  living. 

"  As  we  drew  near  to  Detroit,  we  became  more 
and  more  interested  in  our  military  acquaintances. 
They  are  gentlemanly  and  have  all  the  tender  feel- 
ings of  other  men.  The  captain  (it  was  Saturday 
night)  was  on  his  way  (after  we  landed)  to  Monroe, 
to  take  leave  of  his  family,  perhaps  forever.  He  is  a 
teetotaler,  and  a  Sabbath-keeper,  only  in  this  case, 
he  said  he  could  not  help  himself.  I  told  him  he  had 
a  hard  master  to  serve,  and  bade  him  farewell.  Our 
Lieutenant  is  the  son  of  a  Judge  in  Detroit.  He  was 
born  in  this  city,  (Buffalo,)  and  was  familiar  with  ev- 
ery point.  As  w^e  drew  near  to  it,  we  saw  all  the 
feelings  of  home  gushing  up  in  his  eyes.  He  was  to 
take  leave  of  his  parents,  and  of  a  sister  whom  he 
had  not  seen  for  six  years,  for  a  most  dreadful  death- 
facing  excursion.  The  captain  having  left  all  things 
in  his  hands  until  reaching  Cincinnati,  he  had  just 
placed  his  guard,  with  loaded  muskets,  ordering  them 
to  shoot  down  the  first  soldier  that  should  attempt  to 
escape.  He  said  he  expected  to  bury  half  his  men 
before  reaching  Vera  Cruz,  and  to  have  the  yellow 


KEV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  439 

fever  himself.  These  poor  officers  and  soldiers  have 
hard  times,  to  be  thus  ordered,  almost  recklessly  it 
would  seem,  of  life,  from  one  extreme  of  climate  to 
another,  and  that  in  the  most  sickly  part  of  the 
season. 

"  Niagara  Falls.  —  As  we  approached  Niagara, 
there  was  nothing  in  the  appearance  of  things  indi- 
cating the  Falls  to  be  near.  The  waters  of  Lake 
Erie  moved  on  with  a  calm,  unruffled  surface,  to- 
wards their  narrow  outlet.  Niagara  river  seemed 
scarcely  quicker  than  other  rivers,  rising  even  with 
her  banks,  and  gliding  on  with  a  gentle  speed.  Flow- 
ers were  blooming  sweetly  along  her  borders;  and 
birds  were  singing  melodiously  among  the  trees  of 
her  shores  and  islands.  As  we  drew  near  the  Rapids, 
above  the  Falls,  the  river  appeared  unusually  placid 
and  serene  in  every  aspect.  Having  lost  sight  of  the 
river  altogether,  for  a  while,  we  suddenly  found  our- 
selves in  the  midst  of  a  clump  of  houses  and  trees 
which  we  were  told  was  the  Falls  Village.  We 
were  now  prepared  for  the  great  survey ;  crossed  over 
to  Bath  Island,  thence  to  Goat  Island,  going  down 
to  a  point,  from  which  we  passed  on  to  the  Biddle 
Stairs,  the  Terrapin  Bridge,  and  thence  quite  around 
the  Island.  In  the  afternoon  a  company  of  us,  five 
in  number,  gave  ourselves  up  to  the  directions  of  a 
guide.  He  took  us  down  to  the  lower  landing,  a 
mile  and  a  half  below,  where,  entering  the  '•  Maid  of 
the  Mist,''  a  little  steamboat,  we  proceeded  up  the 
river,  sailing  close  along  the  Falls,  on  the  American 
side,  and  passing  thence  to  the  shore  on  the  British 
side,  directly  into  the  mist  and  spray,  and  after  wheel- 
ing and  running  down  a  short  distance  to  the  ferry 


440  MEMOIR    OF 

landed  on  the  opposite  shore.  Ascending  the  bank 
we  found  ourselves  at  the  Clifton  House ;  and  after 
having  visited  Lundy's  Lane,  and  the  burning  Sul- 
phur Spring,  we  proceeded  to  Barnett's  Museum,  the 
table  rock,  and  the  spiral  stairs,  near  it ;  after  which 
we  returned  homeward  across  the  ferry,  by  means  of 
a  barge,  rowed  by  a  single  individual,  and  were 
drawn  up  the  bank  on  an  inclined  plane.  This  com- 
pleted our  first  day's  tour.  On  the  next,  we  visited 
Goat  Island  again,  and  then  passed  down  the  river 
to  Bellevue,  the  narrows,  the  whirlpool,  etc.,  after 
which  our  conductor  left  us  to  ourselves  and  our 
guide  books. 

"  It  would  be  presumption  for  me,  in  a  running 
letter,  to  attempt  a  minute  description  of  these  Falls. 
This  has  often  been  done  by  others ;  and  in  a  very 
excellent  manner,  in  Peck's  Tourist  Companion. 
The  com-se  we  took  was  by  no  means  favorable  for 
first  impressions.  In  crossing  over  to  Bath  Island, 
and  thence  to  Goat  Island,  one  neither  hears  nor  sees 
much  of  the  Falls.  From  another  point  we  obtained 
an  extensive  view  of  the  whole  Fall,  while  a  rainbow 
in  the  spray  mantled  around  our  feet.  From  the 
Terrapin  Tower,  we  had  a  nearer  approach  on  the 
English  side,  and  looldng  down  saw  again  the  little 
'  Maid  of  the  Mist,'  ploughing  along  up  through  the 
foam  and  spray,  over  the  whirlpool  and  the  billows 
—  a  most  interesting  spectacle.  But,  after  all,  I 
found  myself  returning  from  this  survey  with  not  half 
so  elated  feelings,  as  when  I  visited  Mount  Holyoke. 
Indeed,  I  began  to  fear  that  the  various  objects  of 
interest  I  had  seen  elsewhere  had  disqualified  me  in 
some  measure  for  an  examination  of  this  grandest  of 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  441 

nature's  works.  It  was  not  long,  however,  before  I 
was  disabused  of  this  error,  in  a  most  effectual  man- 
ner. Giving  ourselves  up  to  the  guide,  he  proposed 
to  cross  over  with  us  at  once  to  the  Canada  shore. 
Embarking  on  board  the  '  Maid  of  the  Mist,'  we  were 
soon  creeping  along  the  stream  close  by  the  Ameri- 
can shore,  to  avoid  the  current  on  the  opposite  side. 
In  a  few  minutes,  to  our  surprise,  we  saw  the  little 
boat  making  the  best  of  her  way  directly  towards  the 
foot  of  the  American  Falls,  which  having  reached, 
she  glided  along  by  the  Biddle  Stairs,  etc.,  fully  into 
the  foam,  mist,  billows,  and  almost  the  waterfalls 
themselves,  on  the  side  of  the  English  shore.  This, 
taking  us  as  it  did,  wholly  at  unawares,  sufficiently 
aroused  us.  It  seemed  to  us  like  a  rebuke  from  the 
genii  of  the  Falls  themselves,  for  the  irreverent 
thoughts  and  feelings  with  which  we  had  at  first  ap- 
proached them.  The  boat  on  her  return  held  herself 
in  check.  We  ran  to  the  stream  and  looked  out  upon 
the  awful  Niagara  for  awhile  with  the  deepest,  the 
most  overwhelming  emotions.  It  was  like  standing 
in  the  presence  of  God,  according  to  prophetic  repre- 
sentations. We  saw  his  burnished  throne  before  us, 
the  great  white  cloud  hanging  over  it,  a  rainbow  en- 
circling it,  incense  ascending  in  his  presence,  and 
deep-toned  thunder  rolling  around ;  while  bowing  in 
awful  reverence  we  were  ready  to  cry  out,  holy,  holy, 
holy.  Lord  God  of  Sabaoth,  and  shrink  to  nothing 
before  him.  From  this  moment  the  profoundest  re- 
spect for  this  great  spectacle  took  full  possession  of 
us.  We  never  again  either  thought  or  spoke  of  it 
but  with  the  deepest  emotions.     While  these  feelings 


442  MEMOIR    OF 

were  in  full  flow,  we  gi-adually  separated  from  the 
vision.  Our  boat  had  reached  the  opposite  shore, 
and  we  were  ascending  the  bank,  towards  the  Clifton 
House.  All  the  terrors  of  the  former  scene  had  now 
vanished,  and  we  gazed  forth  upon  the  Falls  as  they 
presented  a  new  and  most  interesting  aspect ;  one  of 
completeness,  grandeur,  and  yet  of  the  most  perfect 
calmness ;  a  view,  in  several  respects,  in  entire  con- 
trast with  the  one  we  had  just  taken  from  the  water 
below.  In  short,  from  this  time  onward,  every  new 
point  from  which  we  contemplated  these  scenes, 
seemed  to  lay  them  open  before  us,  in  new  relations, 
adornments  and  charms,  like  the  endless  combina- 
tions of  the  kaleidoscope,  or  a  succession  in  galleries 
of  paintings  where  one  view  leads  on  to  another,  and 
each  appears  more  beautiful  than  the  last." 

"Yarmouth,  Mass.,  Aug.  12,  1847. 

"  Dear  Mother  :  —  Your  letter  announcing  the 
death  of  your  only  sister  was  received  on  Friday  af- 
ternoon, the  sixth  instant.  Brother  J.  was  then  with 
me,  and  immediately  wrote  you.  I  had  a  heart  to 
do  it,  but  was  too  much  involved  in  cares  that  week. 
Monday  following,  in  order  to  secure  any  letters  or 
papers  Aunt  might  have  left,  I  came  here,  arriving 
about  half  past  eleven  in  the  evening.  The  next  day 
I  went  down  to  the  neighborhood  in  which  she  died. 
It  was  a  melancholy  privilege  to  enter,  her  house.  All 
things  remained  just  as  she  had  left  them  a  fortnight 
since.  I  had  been  calculating,  together  with  my 
wife,  to  make  her  a  visit,  as  soon  as  the  railroad 
should  be  completed  to  Sandwich. 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  443 

I  have  filled  two  boxes  with  articles  which  were 
Aunt's,  and  now  belong  to  you,  and  shall  forward 
them  to  South  Deerfield. 

Among  the  articles  of  interest  you  will  find  grand- 
father's looking-glass.  I  was  obliged  to  break  off  a 
piece  of  the  frame,  before  I  could  pack  it ;  but  you 
will  find  the  fragment  in  the  box,  and  you  can  easily 
glue  it  on.  Also  your  mother's  work-bag,  and  the 
knitting-sheath  she  used  the  evening  before  her 
death." 

Journal.  "  Oct.  27,  1847,  a  most  interesting  day. 
Brother  Jeremiah  was  ordained  over  the  church  in 
Wenham.  It  was  a  melting  scene.  His  three  bro- 
thers took  part  in  the  exercises,  myself  preaching. 
Would  that  our  mother  could  have  been  present. 
She  could  have  testified  to  the  faithfulness  of  Abra- 
ham's God." 

After  the  ordination,  the  brothers  all  spent  a  day 
or  two  in  Manchester,  at  the  house  of  the  eldest,  who 
made  this  record  of  the  occasion :  "  These  are  pre- 
cious scenes.  O  Lord,  what  am  I,  or  what  is  my 
father's  house,  that  thou  hast  brought  us  up  hither  ?  " 
Mr.  T's  sermon  was  founded  on  the  words,  "  And 
who  is  sufficient  for  these  things  ? "  It  w^as  pub- 
lished together  with  the  other  written  parts  of  the  ex- 
ercises. 

Letter  to  Rev.  Dr.  Hooker,  of  East  Windsor,  Con- 
necticut, Nov.  15,  1847. 

"Reverend  and  dear  Sir:  —  Your  letter  arrived 
at  a  time  when  I  was  closely  engaged  in  preparation 
for  my  brother's  ordination  at  Wenham ;  nor  have  I 


444  MEMOIR    OF 

since  been  able  to  sit  fairly  down  to  write  an  answer, 
until  the  present  moment.  Excuse,  therefore,  the 
long  delay.  I  may  almost  say  that  your  inquiry,  me 
renovare  dolorem  infandum^  jubet^  bringing  before  my 
mind  delightful  studies  in  which  I  was  long  engaged, 
and  renewing  the  pain  I  experienced,  when  forced  by 
providences  that  I  could  not  misinterpret,  to  break 
away  from  them.  I  doubt  not,  it  was  all  for  the  best 
that  I  should  leave  them.  Delightful  and  glorious  is 
the  work  of  the  ministry.  My  pangs  hereafter  will 
probably  be  more  and  more  severe,  that  I  did  not  de- 
vote my  whole  soul  to  it  from  the  concluding  of  my 
theological  course  at  A. 

"  There  is  no  History  of  the  Ptdpit,  that  I  know  of, 
worthy  the  name.  The  third  part  of  a  work  by  John 
WiUiam  Schmid  (1774-1798),  the  general  title  of 
which  is  '  Anleitung,  etc.,^  treats  of  the  history  of  the 
pulpit  in  a  general  way,  beginning  with  Christ,  and 
bringing  it  down  to  some  period  of  the  last  century. 
This  work  the  late,  lamented  Professor  Fiske,  of  Am- 
herst, had  begun  years  since  to  prepare  for  publica- 
tion, translating  some  of  it,  adding  notes,  etc.  As  I 
was  residing  at  Andover,  much  engaged  in  studies 
of  the  kind.  Dr.  Porter  kindly  suggested  that  I  make 
inquiries  of  Professor  F.  in  regard  to  the  state  of  his 
work,  and  if  he  had  dropped  it,  to  take  it  up  myself 
and  carry  it  on.  I  accordingly  not  only  wrote  to 
Professor  Fiske  on  the  subject,  and  received  an  an- 
swer from  him,  but  afterwards  had  an  interview  with 
him.  The  Professor,  in  a  letter  which  now  lies  be- 
fore me,  says,  that  he  had  once  begun  to  arrange 
notes  to  append  to  it,  when  he  should  have  translated 
it ;  that  it  would  need  many  additions  to  bring  it  to 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  445 

embrace  the  modern  English,  French,  and  American 
pulpits ;  and  that  he  should  be  happy  to  transfer  the 
work  into  my  hands,  aiding  me  with  his  advice,  notes, 
etc.,  so  far  as  they  would  be  of  any  use  to  me ;  but 
intimates  that  he  had  not  done  much  that  would  turn 
to  account.  I  accordingly  translated  it  during  the 
forepart  of  my  residence  as  a  licentiate  at  Andover. 
Not  feeling  satisfied,  however,  with  it  as  a  mere  trans- 
lation, I  subsequently  commenced  going  over  the 
whole  ground  again,  reading  the  writings  of  the  Latin 
and  Greek  fathers,  that  were  referred  to,  more  or  less, 
and  enlarging  the  work  on  every  side.  In  this  kind 
of  labor,  I  spent  about  a  year,  and  had  come  down, 
as  I  now  remember,  to  the  sixth  or  seventh  century. 
The  result  lies  by  me  in  manuscript,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  translation  of  '  Augustine  on  the  Art  of 
Preaching,'  which  was  published  in  the  Bibl.  Repos. 
1st  series.  Vol.  III.,  p.  569 ;  and  '  Augustine  as  a 
Sacred  Orator,'  in  the  Bibl.  Repos.  2d  series.  Vol. 
VII.,  p.  375.  In  this  last,  however,  my  Life  of  Au- 
gustine, as  considerable  had  just  been  published  in 
the  same  work  respecting  it,  was  greatly  abridged  or 
entirely  omitted.  Whether  I  shall  ever  be  able  to 
finish  the  '  History^  is  very  questionable.  Since  be- 
coming a  pastor  I  have  done  nothing  with  it.  Indeed, 
I  may  say,  that  I  felt  it  required  a  man  who  could 
penetrate  into  the  patristical  writings  with  greater 
ease  than  myself,  and  devote  his  life  to  such  labor. 
I  have  not  wholly  relinquished  the  idea  of  publishing 
the  essential  part  of  all  that  I  have  completed,  in 
some  one  of  the  periodicals  of  the  day,  say  the  Bibli- 
otheca  Sacra.  To  ^vrite  a  full  History  of  the  Pulpit, 
would  require  a  man  skilled  in  the  Latin  and  Greek 
38 


446  MEMOIR    OF 

of  the  fathers,  as  well  as  thoroughly  versed  in  sacred 
literature.  Had  Dr.  Porter  lived,  I  imagine  that  I 
should  have  gone  on  and  finished  the  work.  I  was 
obliged  to  turn  aside  from  it,  to  such  labors  as  would 
bring  me  in  money,  having  not  only  myself  to  sus- 
tain, but  much  to  do  for  an  invalid  sister,  and  an 
aged  mother.  When  at  length  I  found  myself  in  a 
measure  raised  above  pecuniary  embarrassment,  a 
voice  calling  me  to  preach  the  gospel,  sounded  so 
loudly  in  my  ears,  that  I  immediately  wound  up  my 
studies  at  A.  Such  is  an  outline  of  my  story  as  to 
this  matter.  I  remain,  dear  sir,  yours  in  the  bonds 
of  the  gospel." 

Journal.  "  Nov.  23.  —  A  day  I  may  say  of  re- 
bukes ;  four  times  have  I  been  attacked  respecting 
not  visiting';  and  this  when  I  am  at  work  to  the  limit 
of  my  ability  for  the  good  of  the  people.  I  must 
bear  it.  24.  —  Arose  a  little  after  Jive  this  morning, 
not  having  slept  much  the  last  night.  Had  deter- 
mined to  be  invulnerable  to  the  above-named  com- 
plainings, yet  in  vain ;  I  feel  such  things  deeply ;  but 
I  must  learn  to  run  to  my  Saviour,  and  at  the  same 
time  keep  away  from  people.  Had  mercies  yesterday, 
as  well  as  trials."  Some  of  his  mercies  were  in  the 
form  of  kind  letters  from  friends.  Certain  individ- 
uals also  among  his  people,  expressed  sympathy  for 
him ;  furthermore,  he  witnessed  a  triumphant  death- 
bed scene ;  and  of  the  person  deceased,  he  says,  "  T 
have  felt  since  her  death  as  though  she  had  sent  some 
of  the  savor  of  heaven  down  to  me. 

"  Dec.  21.  —  Exchanged  with  brother  J.  last  Sab- 
bath.    Had  peculiar  feelings  of  tenderness  in  regard 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  447 

to  him  as  my  youngest  brother :  am  very  solicitous 
that  he  should. do  well.  31.  —  Another  year  of  mer- 
cies and  of  sins  gone  forever. 

"  Jan.  5,  1848.  —  Just  twenty-eight  years  since  my 
father  died.  I  was  engaged  in  reading  over  the  last 
of  the  proof-sheets  of  the  ordination  exercises  at  Wen- 
ham,  especially  those  parts  in  which  my  brothers 
speak  of  Ids  death,  just  as  the  anniversary  hour  of  his 
departure  came  about.  Oh,  what  an  evening  it  was 
for  me  twenty-eight  years  ago,  when  a  messenger 
came  to  me  in  Ashfield,  saying  that  my  father  was 
not  expected  to  live  many  hours!  15.  —  Have  just 
received  my  ordination  sermon,  etc.  —  Am  full  of  dis- 
tressing fears  in  respect  to  my  health. 

"  Feb.  23.  —  The  funeral  of  a  lady  nearly  88  years 
of  age.  She  had  long  been  a  professor  of  religion ; 
had  walked  worthily  amid  unspeakable  trials ;  and 
her  exit  was  truly  peaceful.  When  scarcely  able  to 
speak  she  called  me  her  pastor,  and  spoke  of  the 
many  kind  words  I  had  at  different  times  uttered  to 
her ;  I  repeated  passages  of  Scripture,  prayed  with 
her,  and  bade  her  farewell."  On  the  28th  having  men- 
tioned the  sudden  death  of  a  lady,  he  observes,  "  I 
have  called  on  her  afflicted  husband  this  evening,  and 
the  scene  of  sorrow  was  almost  overpowering ;  yet  I 
am  confident  the  Lord  will  sustain  him.  He  and  his 
departed  wife  have  adorned  their  Christian  profes- 
sion. As  a  little  company  of  us  knelt  in  prayer  with 
him,  I  felt  that  the  Lord  was  with  us. 

"  March  20.  —  The  astounding  news  of  the  French 
revolution  came  Saturday  evening,  and  I  tried  to 
make  a  good  improvement  of  the  event  Sabbath 
morning."     Some  time  in  this  month  he  found  him- 


448  MEMOIE    OF 

self  in  collision  with  the  parish  committee  touching 
the  control  of  his  pulpit.  Leaving  home  on  Satur- 
day for  an  exchange,  he  consulted  various  individ- 
uals qualified  to  give  him  counsel  relative  to  the  con- 
troverted point,  and  was  confirmed  in  his  own  previ- 
ous opinion.  Still  the  matter  preyed  on  him,  so  that 
the  night  preceding  the  Sabbath  he  could  get  no 
sound  sleep,  and  on  the  one  following,  only  once  did 
he  lose  himself  in  slumber  for  a  few  moments.  About 
two  o'clock  he  arose,  and  laid  the  subject  before  the 
Saviour.  The  result  is  thus  described.  "  Soon  he 
came  to  my  relief  with  such  a  flood  of  light  and  glory, 
that  I  felt  myself  overwhelmed  with  his  goodness, 
mercy,  and  love,  and  at  once  under  the  shadow  of  his 
wing.  Indeed,  language  cannot  describe  the  bliss  of 
this  happy  season,  while  I  lay  down  at  the  feet  of  the 
Redeemer,  and  rolled  all  my  burdens  into  his  hands. 

"  April  6.  —  The  enemy  seems  to  rage ;  the  Sab- 
bath is  trampled  upon ;  the  great  floods  of  wicked- 
ness appear  ready  to  overflow  every  thing.  I  am  un- 
well, and  feel  exceedingly  weak,  yet  have  some  peace 
in  believing.     The  Saviour  of  late  has  been  nearer 

to  me  than  usual.     17.  —  Funeral  of  Mr.  ,  a 

poor,  hard-working  man,  who  has  left  a  large  family. 
I  had  serious  conversation  with  him  three  weeks 
since ;  yet  on  looking  at  his  remains  in  the  coffin,  I 
was  affected,  fearing  I  might  not  have  been  faithful 
to  him. 

"  July  2.  —  My  life  has  been  mostly  thrown  away. 
Sin  has  a  dreadful  hold  upon  me ;  but  I  feel  deeply 
for  the  church ;  for  thoughtless  youth ;  for  Sabbath- 
breakers  ;  for  souls.  —  Never  have  I  previously  had 
such  a  refreshing  at  the  communion  table.     Oh,  the 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  449 

unspeakable  love  of  Jesus  I  how  he  has  to  stoop  over 
me,  and  bear  me  upon  his  wings  of  love !  He  has 
seemed  to  draw  nearer  and  nearer  to  me  for  some 
time  past.  How  reaJ^  religion  becomes.  Here  is  the 
living  fountain,  the  priceless  treasure.  Procured  Mc- 
Cheyne's  work,  when  at  Boston  the  other  day.  I 
admire  his  spirit." 

To  his  mother,  July  11. 

"  Calling  at  brother  J.'s  the  other  day,  T  saw  your 
daguerreotype  likeness.  It  excited  in  me  new  and 
deep  emotions.  I  looked  at  it  again  and  again.  It 
is  yourself.  I  could  fully  enter  into  the  feelings  of 
Cowper :  — 

'  Oh  that  those  lips  had  language  !  — 
Those  lips  are  thine  —  thy  own  sweet  smile  I  see, 
The  same  that  oft  in  childhood  solaced  me.' 

Only  I  believe  you  do  not  here  smile  at  all,  but  wear 
your  most  serious  look.  A  painter  can  catch  the 
best  likeness,  and  put  it  on  the  canvas  at  leisure,  but 
the  sun  looks  on  us  as  we  are  at  the  moment,  what- 
ever the  expression,  just  as  God's  eye  does  —  stereo- 
typing present  impressions." 

A  lady  having  proposed  to  Mr.  T.'s  youngest 
brother  to  bear  his  expenses  during  a  winter's  so- 
journ in  Italy,  if  he  would  accompany  her  son  thither, 
the  following  letter  was  written  in  reply  to  inquiries 
from  that  brother  respecting  his  duty. 

"Manchester,  Oct.  21,  1848. 
"  My  dear  Brother  :  —  I  have  time  to  pen  only 
a  few  words,  in  reply  to  yours.     As  to  what  is  duty 

38* 


450  MEMOIR    OF 

in  this  case,  you  must  judge  for  yourself.  I  can, 
however,  offer  suggestions.  If  the  proposition  had 
been  made  to  you  before  your  ordination,  it  would 
have  borne  a  very  different  aspect.  If  entertained  at 
all  now,  it  should  be,  as  I  conceive,  because  you  find 
a  state  of  mind  and  heart  among  your  people  favor- 
able to  it.  If  such  be  the  case,  you  must  lay  your- 
self down  at  the  feet  of  your  Saviour  for  direction. 
Some  reasons  in  favor  of  your  going  occur  to  me. 
1.  It  cannot  be  questioned  that  such  a  tour  might 
be  rendered  profitable  both  to  your  mind  and  heart, 
and  thus  prepare  you  for  greater  usefulness.  2.  You 
are  now  at  an  age,  when  you  can  make  such  a  jour- 
ney with  great  relish  and  profit.  3.  It  will  bring  you 
into  acquaintance  with  a  most  interesting  portion  of 
the  church,  and  serve  greatly  to  familiarize  you  with 
the  history  of  the  Reformation.  4.  It  is  not  very 
probable  that  you  will  ever  make  that  tour,  if  you  do 
not  now. 

"  On  the  other  hand  there  are  reasons  against 
your  going.  1.  You  have  not  yet  been  settled  long 
enough  to  authorize  it.  You  have  now  just  fairly 
started,  and  it  would  sadly  break  in  upon  your  pas- 
toral habits.  2.  It  would  probably  effectually  alien- 
ate the  feelings  of  your  people  from  you  ;  they  would 
lose  their  confidence  in  the  stability  of  your  charac- 
ter. 3.  It  is  not  now  a  good  time  to  visit  Europe. 
4.  It  is  not  necessary  for  you  to  do  it,  in  order  to 
become  either  good  or  great.  5.  Perhaps  God  has 
presented  this  temptation  to  you  in  order  to  try  the 
strength  of  your  love  to  him,  and  that  you  may  give 
your  people  a  substantial  proof  of  your  devotion  to 
them. 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  451 

"  Thus  the  subject  lies  in  my  mind,  and  here  I 
must  leave  it.  The  Lord  guide  you  to  a  right  de- 
cision." 

"Manchester,  Dec.  1,  1848. 
"  Dear  Sister  Martha  :  —  We  suppose  you  were 
married  last  evening,  and  soon  after  entered  your 
new  home  in  P.  At  least  I  take  this  for  granted 
and  write  you  accordingly.  You  are  then,  at  length, 
settled  down  in  life.  I  cannot  but  hope  you  have 
entered  this  new  sphere  in  the  fear  of  God.  My 
prayer  is  that  he  would  bless  the  union.  It  is  a  rela- 
tion of  his  own  instituting,  formed  when  man  was  in 
Paradise,  and  of  course  is  one  upon  which,  if  con- 
summated in  his  fear,  we  may  look  for  his  blessing. 
Nowhere  does  the  providence  of  God  appear  more 
admirable  than  in  what  he  has  done  for  our  happi- 
ness in  the  institution  of  marriage.  Most  heartily 
can  I  join  with  Milton,  and  say  :  — 

*  Hail,  wedded  love  !  —  by  tliee, 
Founded  in  reason,  loyal,  just,  and  pure, 
Relations  dear,  and  all  the  charities 
Of  father,  son,  and  brother,  first  were  known. 
Perpetual  fountain  of  domestic  sweets.' 

"  May  the  favor  of  the  Lord  attend  you  both,  and 
make  you  the  source  of  innumerable  blessings  to 
each  other.  And  when  you  are  removed  by  death, 
may  you  be  conjoined  by  the  purer  bonds  of  celestial 
love,  in  that  world  where  '  they  neither  marry  nor  are 
given  in  marriage,  but  are  as  the  angels  of  God.' 
Our  united  regards  to  yourself  and  husband.  Your 
affectionate  brother." 

Journal.  "Dec.  14.  —  The  California  gold  fever 
prevails  to  a  most  alarming  extent.     On  the  31st  he 


452  MEMOIR    OF 

preached  respecting  that  disease.     Many  young  men 
of  his  parish  were  thinking  of  going  to  California. 

"  Jan.  1,  1849.  —  This  day  was  observed  by  our 
church  as  one  of  prayer  and  fasting.  10.  —  Kept 
awake  last  night  by  anxious  thoughts  about  our  reli- 
gious state,  but  found  great  comfort  towards  morn- 
ing as  I  meditated  upon  the  promises.  The  Saviour 
has  seemed  near  indeed,  much  of  this  day.  16. — 
Buried  another  lovely,  aged  sister  in  Christ  —  one  of 
those  who  always  received  me  with  a  smile.  20. — 
Awoke  this  morning  in  mental  despair.  The  hea- 
vens were  brass  over  my  head,  and  my  prayers  were 
shut  out.  Directly,  however,  light  came,  which  lasted 
for  some  time,  and  I  was  wrapped  up  in  sweet 
contemplations  of  redeeming  love.  The  duty  and  diffi- 
culty of  watchfulness,  also  the  straightness  of  life's 
way,  occupied  my  thoughts.  Monday,  22.  —  Had  a 
pleasant  day  yesterday,  also  Saturday.  Though  in 
the  midst  of  severe  trials,  the  Lord  has  been  with  me. 
23.  —  Had  resolved  to  devote  the  day  to  prayer  and 
fasting,  but  met  with  many  interruptions.  This  eve- 
ning's prayer-meeting  looks  more  encouraging  than 
any  thing  I  have  seen  for  years.  30.  —  Satan  ap- 
pears to  be  raging.  Pleasure  parties  are  multiplied ; 
last  evening  there  were  two ;  designed,  doubtless,  to 
counteract  the  influence  of  religion. 

"  Feb.  1.  —  I  find  that  trials  are  allotted  to  others  as 
well  as  to  myself.  Death  has  gone  into  the  habita- 
tions of  a  number  of  my  brethren  in  the  ministry, 
within  a  few  years  past.  —  I  am  struggling  to  reach 
the  foot  of  the  cross.  O,  blessed  place !  Most  com- 
forting are  the  words  of  Scripture  :  '  Your  heavenly 
Father   knoweth   that  ye  have    need   of  all   these 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  453 

things.'  Feel  afraid  that  I  -am  more  troubled  about 
Ynyg-ourdthsin  all  the  souls  around  me.  5.  —  Monday. 
Had  a  solemn  Sabbath ;  full  meetings  in  the  day- 
time and  evening;  am  anxious  about  the  state  of 
things  here ;  hope  for  a  revival,  but  mu^  wait  upon 
God.  11. —  Sabbath.  Toward  the  close  of  my  morn- 
ing sermon,  I  felt  unusual  fervor,  yet  I  suppose  that 
by  my  warmth  in  preaching,  I  influenced  numbers 
to  stay  away  in  the  afternoon.  14.  —  A  church  fast. 
Three  inquirers  in  the  evening,  two  of  whom  enter- 
tain hope.  All  day  my  own  heart  seemed  to  become 
harder  and  harder.  Am  more  in  doubt  as  to  the 
prospects  of  a  revival  than  I  have  been.  Fear  that  I 
have  grieved  away  the  Holy  Spirit.  I  must  confess 
before  God  my  guilt. 

"  March  2.  —  Preparatory  lecture,  full  and  solemn." 
The  Sabbath  following  this  date,  he  found  himself 
in  a  pleasant  frame  of  mind,  very  early  in  the  morn- 
ing. "  The  Saviour,"  he  says,  "  seemed  to  come,  in- 
viting me  to  arise  to  his  work.  Have  heard  of  ano- 
ther convert,  also  of  a  new  case  of  seriousness.     6.  — 

Mr. ,  the  transcendentalist,  has  lectured  in  our 

chapel  this  evening.  We  held  our  prayer-meeting  in 
the  room  directly  above,  and  it  was  overflowing. 
Hear  of  more  instances  of  conviction  around  us. 
11.  —  Sabbath.  Had  a  notice  handed  me  of  an  infi- 
del lecture  during  the  week.  Of  course  I  did  not 
read  it."  Referring  to  this  lecture,  he  remarks :  "  I 
was  oppressed  in  the  night  with  a  sense  of  the  dan- 
ger to  which  our  youth  are  exposed.  Arose,  went 
into  my  study,  and  engaged  awhile  in  prayer." 

In  this  month  he  was  informed  that  a  sermon, 
which  he  preached  sometime  previous  in  a  season  of 


454  MEMOIR    OF 

revival,  in  one  of  the  parishes  not  far  from  Manches- 
ter, was  the  means  of  the  conviction  of  six  persons, 
who  subsequently  had  made  a  profession  of  rehgion. 

Extracts  from  letters  written  in  March  and  April, 
1849,  to  his  brother  T.,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

"  Dear  Brother  :  —  A  week  ago  to-day  we  re- 
ceived a  letter  from  sister  Mary,  in  which  she 
thus  wrote,  "  You  have  heard,  I  suppose,  of  the  sick- 
ness of  brother  T.  It  is  thought  he  has  had  a  par- 
alytic shock."  Of  course  the  announcement  threw 
us  into  great  anxiety  and  even  consternation.  The 
next  day,  I  wrote  to  your  wife,  thinking  that  perhaps 
she  might  write,  if  you  were  unable ;  but  receiving 
no  return  at  the  proper  time,  I  wrote  again,  address- 
ing Mr.  Lockwood,  of  your  village ;  and  to-day  we 
received  a  full  reply  from  him,  and  also  a  letter  from 
yourself,  dated  the  22d  inst,  Washington,  D.  C.  Mr. 
L.'s  was  written  the  24th.  Your  case  is  an  obscure 
one,  it  seems,  though  it  is  encouraging  at  present, 
but  evidently  it  ought  not  to  be  trifled  with.  The 
truth  is,  according  to  Mr.  L.'s  statement,  you  had  ex- 
erted yourself  enough  to  destroy  any  ordinary  man. 
I  do  not  see  how  it  could  be  otherwise  than  that  un- 
der such  circumstances,  your  sensorial  powers  should 
be  exhausted.  I  recalled  to  mind,  after  receiving 
Mary's  letter,  various  hints  you  had  dropped  in  times 
past,  about  energetic  preaching  —  the  necessity  of  it ; 
and  felt  assured  that  for. the  last  two  or  three  years, 
but  especially  one,  you  had  labored,  preached  and 
prayed  as  with  a  mountain  weight  of  responsibility 
pressing  upon  you.  You  have  been  a  bow,  always 
bent.     Not  only  you,  but  myself  have  erred  in  this 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  455 

respect.  These  overwhelming  emotions  cannot  be 
sustained  without  great  physical  strength;  and  yet 
the  body,  by  reason  of  constant  effort,  is  becoming 
weaker  and  weaker.  Especially  are  sudden  and  sur- 
prising starts  in  the  pulpit  to  be  avoided,  as  endan- 
gering the  breaking  of  some  blood  vessel;  and  be- 
sides, they  are  not  so  efficacious  as  we  suppose,  ex- 
cept in  awaking  sleepy  folks.  Of  these  movements  I 
have  sometimes  been  guilty,  but  you  more  so.  As 
for  myself,  I  have  found  my  deepest  emotions  flow- 
ing forth,  when  I  am  in  an  almost  unmoved  state  of 
body.  Some  persons,  under  the  influence  of  a  calmer 
and  perhaps  a  phlegmatic  temperament,  unquestion- 
ably err  on  the  other  side  —  but  loe  labor  too  much 
as  if  life  and  death  hung  upon  the  issue,  and  as  if  we 
never  expected  to  preach  another  sermon.  The  fact 
is,  we  must  thunder  less  and  lighten  more ;  utter 
forth  the  truth  in  sincerity  of  heart,  and  leave  God's 
Spirit  to  do  the  work  —  entreating  him,  of  course, 
that  he  will  perform  it.  You  have  been  warned  of 
the  frailty  of  your  clayey  tenement  in  one  way,  and 
I  in  another.  Your  illness  it  seems  has  come  through 
the  nerves.  I  have  long  since  abated  the  severity  of 
my  exercise,  though  a  proper  amount  I  must  have, 
or  greatly  suffer  —  an  incapacity  for  much  clear,  en- 
ergetic thinking,  is  induced.  Yet  I  find  myself  una- 
ble to  go  beyond  a  certain  length  of  chain.  If  I 
overdo  to-day,  nature  will  claim  her  rest  to-morrow. 
It  is  delightful  to  see  how  God  has  raised  up 
friends  to  aid  you  in  a  pecuniary  point  of  view. 
Your  statements  in  this  respect  almost  overcame  me. 
I  cannot  tell  you  how  much  my  mind  is  relieved  in 
regard  to  your  case  by  hearing  from  you.     This  is  a 


456  MEMOIR    OF 

new  kind  of  affliction  in  our  history,  and  opens  new 
fountains  of  sympathy  and  sorrow.  You  entwine 
closer  around  my  heart,  T.,  than  you  probably  are 
aware  of.  I  have  often  in  imagination,  stooped  at 
your  bedside  and  kissed  your  pale  cheek.  You  are 
my  first-born  brother.  Well  do  I  remember  the  glad 
emotions  with  which,  after  having  pined  away  the 
first  eight  years  of  my  life,  in  the  solitude  of  a  wil- 
derness, without  a  playmate,  I  received  from  my  fa- 
ther the  intelligence  that  I  had  a  little  brother ;  nor 
have  I  forgotten  the  many  trying  years  in  which  I 
was  obliged  to  commit  our  mother's  affairs  to  your 
hands,  and  that  I  ever  found  you  faithful.  It  is  con- 
soling to  feel  that  you  are  a  child  of  God.  Let  us 
pray  for  each  other  with  increased  fervor,  and  strive 
to  live  nearer  to  Christ. 

"  It  is  good  to  have  occasion  for  throwing  our- 
selves into  the  arms  of  Infinite  Love.  God  never 
disappoints.  If  he  withhold  any  particular  gift,  he 
supplies  us  with  himself.  My  thoughts  and  feelings 
are,  I  hope,  more  and  more  toward  the  kingdom  of 
Christ.  How  deeply,  thoroughly,  intensely,  and  all- 
pervadingly  true  is  the  Bible,  and  each  of  its  prom- 
ises I  Only  one  thing  makes  me  tremble ;  that  only 
a  few  find  the  narrow  gate." 

Journal.      "April  7,  1849.  — Was  in  Mr.  's 


shop  this  morning,  and  heard  much  infidel  conversa- 
tion there.  I  felt  tender,  and  while  I  almost  shud- 
dered at  what  was  said,  I  could  scarcely  refrain  from 
weeping.  14.  —  Revival  influences  are  less  apparent, 
and  consequently  there  is  not  so  much  opposition  to 
religion  as  there  has  been.     I  am  troubled  with  an 


REV.     OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  457 

excessively  bad  heart.  15.  —  After  meeting  attended 
the  funeral  of  a  poor  woman.  My  wife  and  myself 
had  often  sent  her  little  things.  She  was  very  deaf, 
but  always  cheerful,  and  grateful  for  every  favor. 
"We  fear  that  we  have  not  done  enough  for  her.  It 
is  very  dangerous  to  neglect  the  Lord's  poor." 

"Anniversary  week,  Boston,  May,  1849. 
"  My  Dear  Wife  :  —  I  am  just  from  the  sweet, 
hallowed  spot,  the  morning  prayer-meeting.  Of  all 
places  on  earth,  that  seems  nearest  heaven.  I  had 
wished  you  might  enjoy  it;  but  as  you  could  not,  I 
drop  you  a  line  to  impart  to  you  what  I  can  of  it. 
The  whole  atmosphere  seemed  to  be  prayer  and 
praise ;  holy,  holy,  holy  to  the  Lord.  Sin  in  such  a 
place,  looks  black,  and  odious,  and  infinitely  hateful. 
Jesus  presents  himself  before  us,  as  the  chief  among 
ten  thousand,  and  altogether  lovely.  You  mourn 
that  you  ever  thought,  or  felt,  or  did  any  thing 
against  him,  and  this  one  prayer  breathes  forth 
from  your  soul  —  that  you  may  rejoice  with  him  in 
labor  and  suffering,  and  be  absolutely  swallowed  up 
in  his  glory.  A  fire  appears  kindling  in  your  spirit, 
like  that  which  burns  in  the  bosom  of  celestials. 
You  can  only  entreat  to  be  the  Lord's  in  every 
thought,  feeling,  emotion,  and  action.  You  see  the 
aurora  of  eternal  glories  coming ;  you  pray  to  be  de- 
livered from  sin ;  you  beg  to  be  bound  to  the  cross ; 
but  I  cannot  express  it,  my  dear  wife.  Would  I 
could  make  it  all-pervading  in  myself,  and  in  those 
around  me.  Let  us  draw  nearer  to  the  blessed  Re- 
deemer. Let  us  believe  and  love,  praise  and  pray, 
labor  and  help  each  other  on." 

39 


458  MEMOIR    OF 

To  the  same. 

"  We  have  had  our  farewell  meeting  in  Winter 
Street  Church  from  9  to  11,  A.  M.  I  did  not  enjoy  it 
as  a  whole,  so  well  as  the  prayer-meeting  yesterday, 
yet  it  was  a  most  precious  season.  I  felt  in  it,  some- 
what as  I  supposed  Peter  did,  when  on  the  mount 
of  transfiguration  he  said,  '  It  is  good  for  us  to  be 
here.'  It  is  good  to  be  in  such  places.  Oh  that  I 
could  carry  out  the  vows  made  on  such  occasions, 
going  into  the  world  again,  armed  as  a  soldier  of  Je- 
sus, and  fighting  in  his  name.  Christian  enjoyed  a 
delightful  season  at  the  house  *  Beautiful,'  but  had  to 
leave  it,  and  venture  down  into  the  valley  of  humil- 
iation, and  thence  into  that  of  the  shadow  of  death." 

The  second  week  in  June  Mr.  T.  attended  the  Con- 
sociation of  Evangelical  Congi-egational  Churches 
in  Rhode  Island  as  a  delegate  of  the  General  Asso- 
ciation of  Massachusetts,  and  spent  a  Sabbath  in 
that  State  with  his  eldest  brother.  On  his  way  home 
he  visited  Walpole  and  Dedham,  to  examine  records 
of  the  Cleaveland  family.  At  the  latter  place  he 
heard  of  the  sudden  death  of  Rev.  Wm.  B.  Tappan. 
Tliey  had  occupied  the  pulpit  in  Manchester  to- 
gether. Sabbath,  May  20th.  He  thus  notices  that 
death.  "  Was  very  much  affected  in  passing  the 
Depository  of  the  American  Sabbath  School  Union, 
to  see  the  door  shut,  crape  tied  on  the  latch,  and  a 
card  nailed  near  it,  stating  the  circumstances  of  my 
friend's  death. 

"  July  4.  —  Have  been  rent  with  agonies  almost  in- 
describable in  regard  to  a  house.  My  prayer  is  for 
resignation.      6.  —  Very   sad  in  mind   about  these 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  459 

days,  and  doubt  my  right  and  title  to  the  name  of 
the  Christian.  Walked  in  my  garden,  and  prayed 
for  those  who  had  been  instrumental  in  depriving  me 
of  my  dwelling ;  and  that  I  might  neither  have  an  un- 
forgiving spirit,  nor  be  left  to  murmur."  He  refers 
to  the  house  in  which  he  had  resided  several  years, 
and  which  he  had  been  directed  to  leave.  The  Sab- 
bath, July  12th,  was  spent  in  Salem  on  exchange.  — 
Of  it  he  says,  "  Had  a  day,  if  I  mistake  not  my  emo- 
tions, of  great  spiritual  enjoyment;  felt  humble,  and 
in  all  respects  unworthy,  but  Jesus  was  near  me." 

To  the  Boston  Traveller. 

"Manchester,  Mass.,  July  12,  1849. 
"  Messrs.  Editors  :  —  If  my  friend,  Mr.  H.  K.,  the 
bearer,  be  faithful,  (and  I  doubt  not  he  will  be,)  you 
will  herewith  receive  a  fragrant  bunch  of  the  Magno- 
lia, that  grows  near  us,  both  in  Gloucester  and  in 
Manchester.  —  The  name  Magnolia  comes  from  Pe- 
ter Magnol,  the  celebrated  botanist  of  Montpelier, 
who  was  born  in  1638,  and  died  in  1715,  at  the  age 
of  77,  Professor  of  Botany  at  Montpelier,  the  author 
of  several  valuable  works  on  botanical  subjects,  and 
the  father  of  Botany  in  all  that  region,  as  well  as  the 
teacher  of  some  distinguished  botanists,  among  whom 
were  Fagon  and  the  illustrious  Tournefort.  His 
name  was  appropriated  to  the  genus  of  plants,  (of 
which  the  specimen  I  send  you  is  one  of  the  species, 
the  glauca,)  by  Charles  Plumier,  another  distin- 
guished botanist,  a  pupil  of  Tournefort,  and  thus  re- 
motely of  Magnol,  who  having  been  sent  on  several 
expeditions  by  the  French  King  to  the  West  Indies, 
published  in  French,  drawings  and  descriptions  of 


460  •  MEMOIR    OF 

the  plants  of  those  parts  which  he  visited.  The  ge- 
nus Magnolia  is  said  by  botanists  to  be  a  noble  one, 
embracing  some  of  the  finest  trees  and  shrubs  in  na- 
ture. Dr.  Bigelow  says  of  this,  '  that  it  is  the  only 
species  of  its  superb  genus,  which  has  been  found 
native  in  New  England.  With  us,  it  is  scarcely 
more  than  a  large  shrub  or  bush,  and  is  rare ;  but  far- 
ther to  the  South  it  attains  to  the  height  of  40  feet, 
and  is  abundant.  It  is  the  first  of  its  genus  intro- 
duced into  the  English  gardens.  Its  name  is  to  be 
found  in  the  United  States  Dispensatory,  its  bark  and 
root  having  medical  properties,  being  gently  stimu- 
lant, aromatic,  tonic,  and  diaphoretic,  useful  in  chron- 
ic rheumatism,  and  capable,  if  freely  given,  of  arrest- 
ing the  paroxysms  of  intermittent  fevers.'  (See 
Rees,  Bigelow,  and  Dispens.).  With  us  it  is  gener- 
ally called  simply  the  Magnolia,  (though  it  has  va- 
rious other  names,  elsewhere,  such  as  Swamp  Mag- 
nolia, Small  Magnolia,  White  Bay  Tree,  Swamp 
Sassafras,  Beaver  Tree,  etc.,)  and  is  sought  after 
solely  for  its  fragrance,  which  to  some  becomes  dis- 
agreeable, when  too  abundant  in  a  confined  room ; 
even  sickening." 

Aug.  1.  —  Returning  from  an  exchange  at  Ipswich, 
he  was  sick  in  Wenham  till  Tuesday,  with  his  bro- 
ther J.  Having  reached  home,  he  says :  "  During  a 
few  days  past,  the  Saviour  has  seemed  nearer  than 
usual.  I  have  been  searching  to  find  out  whether  I 
am  honestly  and  entirely  his;  and  though  I  have 
fears,  I  yet  hope.  He  stood  by  me  and  blessed  me 
in  the  depths  of  my  anguish  on  Monday." 


REV.    OLIVER   A.    TAYLOR.  461 

During  a  part  of  this  month  he  visited  his  mother 
and  sisters.  Was  absent  from  home  two  weeks,  and 
speaks  of  having  had  much  religious  enjoyment 
during  that  time. 

Journal.  "  Sept.  18.  —  Received  intelligence  of 
the  death  of  my  uncle,  Oliver  Alden.  My  mother 
is  now  the  only  one  left  of  her  father's  family.  We 
must  expect  her  departure  soon.  The  Lord  prepare 
her  for  the  great  change.  The  world  looks  melan- 
choly when  we  are  bereaved  of  our  friends." 

To  his  youngest  sister  and  husband. 

"Manchester,  Sept.  18,  1849. 

"  Dear  Brother  and  Sister  :  —  A  letter  from 
mother  last  evening  brings  us  the  painful  inteUigence 
of  the  death  of  your  dear  Edgar.  This  event,  so 
sudden,  must  have  nearly  overwhelmed  you.  It  will 
be  in  vain,  I  fear,  for  me  to  suggest  topics  for  your 
consolation,  repeated  as  your  afflictions  have  been. 
The  tenderest  fibres  of  nature  have  been  severed, 
and  they  will  bleed ;  nor  can  we  prevent  the  anguish 
thence  resulting.  There  are  considerations,  however, 
which  should  greatly  modify  this  grief.  The  Lord 
has  smitten  you^  and  therefore  the  stroke  must  have 
been  right.  He  can  do  nothing  wrong.  Again, 
there  cannot  be  the  least  doubt  that  what  he  has 
done  in  this  case  has  been  done  in  love,  provided 
you  are  his  children.  The  cup  may  taste  bitter  for 
awhile,  but  it  has  sweets  beneath  the  bitter.  Again, 
you  know  not  how  much  better  it  may  be  that  your 
son  should  be  thus  early  removed,  before  becoming 
exposed  to  the  power  of  temptation.  Had  he  lived 
39* 


462  MEMOIR    OF 

to  grow  up,  he  might  have  pierced  your  hearts 
through  and  through.  God  only  knows!  This 
event  will  naturally  lead  you  both  to  inquire  into  the 
manner  in  which  you  performed  your  duty  towards 
your  dear  boy.  Our  friends,  that  depart,  bear  with 
them  to  the  great  Judge  the  impress  that  we  have 
made  on  them.  The  event  will  also,  I  trust,  stimu- 
late you  to  greater  fidelity  in  training  the  child  still 
left  you.  In  view  of  the  dealings  of  God,  worldly 
things  should  hang  loosely  around  you.  How  soon 
must  we  ourselves  bid  adieu  to  all  sublunary  scenes, 
and  try  those  of  eternity." 

On  leaving  the  house  which  he  had  occupied  as  a 
parsonage  several  years,  he  observes :  "  It  has  be- 
come a  hallowed  spot  to  us,  especially  on  account 
of  mother  Cleaveland's  dying  there.  We  have  re- 
grets on  going  from  it,  yet  the  Lord  has  been  very 
near  to  us  of  late.  I  have  felt  willing  to  go  through 
any  crossings,  provided  Jesus  will  be  with  me.  Soon, 
soon  will  the  lease  of  life  be  up."  Having  removed 
to  another,  he  remarks :  "  Three  iveeks,  at  least,  have 
been  taken  entirely  off  from  my  ministerial  duties  by 
this  change  of  houses."  But  while  thus  tried,  he 
could  say :  "  Jesus  seems  very  precious ;  dear,  dear 
is  his  name."  Subsequently  he  observes :  "  Visited 
the  old  parsonage  for  the  last  time,  and  prostrated 
myself  in  prayer. 

"  Nov.  11.  —  Have  to-day  attended  in  Salem  the 
funeral  of  our  dear,  excellent  friend.  Miss  Mary  W. 
Punchard.  Sweet  are  our  remembrances  of  her. 
Her  mind  was  strong,  her  judgment  sound,  her 
piety  genuine,    and    her    benevolence    large.      Her 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  463 

sickness  was  protracted,  and  her  sufferings  were 
unusually  severe  ;  but  endured,  through  divine  grace, 
with  great  patience  and  composure  of  spirit.  She 
sank  away  in  death  perfectly  conscious  to  the  last 
moment,  saying  nearly  at  the  close  of  life :  '  I  am 
going  peacefully  —  going  peacefully.'  She  has  held 
for  many  years  the  place  of  a  sister  in  the  affections 
of  my  dear  wife.  O,  the  loss  we  have  sustained  in 
the  death  of  this  friend !  30.  —  Thanksgiving. 
Preached  a  sermon  at  the  request  of  our  Californi- 
nians,  adapted  to  their  case.  31.  —  Visited  brother 
J.  and  wife,  Wenham.  His  people  have  done  nobly 
for  him  in  respect  to  parsonage,  etc.  The  Lord  will 
bless  them. 

"Dec.  11.  —  The  case  of  Dr.  Parkman,  murdered, 
as  is  supposed,  by  Professor  Webster,  has  followed 
me  incessantly  ever  since  its  announcement,  almost 
making  me  feel  guilty  of  participating  in  the  crime  ; 
overwhelming  me  with  a  sense  of  insecurity,  except 
as  God  protects ;  and  bringing  me  to  feel  most 
deeply  the  danger  of  indulging  passion,  hatred, 
anger,  and  revenge.  I  am  grieved  to  learn  that  our 
California  vessel  started  on  the  Sabbath.  ^  Some  of 
the  company  protested  against  it,  but  were  overruled. 
They  went  on  about  seven  miles,  and  were  driven 
hack  by  a  storm  into  Gloucester  harbor." 

The  following  letter  was  written  Jan.  5,  1850. 

"  Dear  Mother  :  —  I  wrote  you  a  line  and  sealed 
it,  designing  to  send  it  immediately  after  receiving 
your  last ;  but  the  thought  of  two  important  anni- 
versaries so  near  at  hand,  namely,  of  my  father's 


464  MEMOIR    OF 

death  and  of  your  own  birthday,  have  caused  me  to 
retain  it  in  order  to  send  you  another  line. 

"  To-night,  then,  thirty  years  have  passed  away 
since  my  father  slept  in  death.  His  form  rises  vividly 
before  me ;  the  scenes  through  which  I  passed  in  his 
company ;  and  the  aspect  he  bore  as  he  lay  shrouded 
in  our  south-east  room.  How  quiet  have  been  his 
earthly  slumbers  since  then !  And  has  not  his  soul 
been  triumphing  all  the  while  in  some  humble  place 
beneath  his  Lord  the  Lamb?  I  have  the  utmost 
confidence  to  this  effect.  The  change  wrought  in 
him  at  conversion  was  a  thorough  one.  Of  honesty, 
conscientious  honesty,  he  was  one  of  the  most  per- 
fect patterns  I  ever  knew.  What  pains  did  he  often 
take  to  correct  little  mistakes  that  had  been  made 
even  by  others,  to  their  own  injury,  in  their  transac- 
tions with  him.  How  faithful  was  he  in  his  closet 
duties  I  Often  have  I  seen  him  pause  in  his  work, 
take  his  seat  upon  some  rock,  stump,  or  log,  and 
laying  aside  his  hat  in  godly  reverence,  give  himself 
up  to  holy  contemplation;  his  lips  moving  all  the 
while  in  prayer.  How  faithful  also  in  family  prayer! 
How  pierced,  as  with  a  dagger,  once,  when  he  found 
he  had  unwittingly  broken  the  Sabbath  by  miscalcu- 
lating a  day !  How  constantly  did  he  visit  the  house 
of  God,  though  it  stood  five  miles  distant,  over  high 
mountains,  itself  on  a  mountain  top!  And  then 
what  purity  encompassed  his  steps !  Not  an  indeli- 
cate expression  do  I  remember  to  have  heard  fall 
from  his  lips,  and  only  a  single  anecdote  that  could 
be  regarded  as  bordering  in  the  least  upon  it.  His 
only  besetting  sin,  that  I  knew  of,  was  proneness  to 


KEY.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  465 

imtability  under  the,  severe  crossings  of  life  to  which 
he  was  subject;  but  even  of  this  how  free  did  he 
become  during  the  last  seventeen  months  of  his  life 
—  constantly  engaged  in  supplication,  praying  three 
times  a  day  in  his  family,  and  endeavoring  to  bow  at 
every  step  and  in  all  things  to  the  will  of  God.  Nor 
yet  have  I  alluded  to  those  private  fasts,  that  from 
time  to  time  he  so  carefully  observed.  The  world 
knew  nothing  of  them.  They  were  known  only  to 
his  family  and  his  Maker. 

"  However  furnished  by  nature  with  strength  of 
constitution,  during  all  the  last  half  of  his  life,  he 
had  been  greatly  broken  down,  so  that  he  found  him- 
self from  day  to  day  and  year  to  year  encompassed 
with  infirmities.  Besides,  from  loss  of  property, 
from  change  of  employment  at  a  mature  age,  and 
from  hardness  of  soil,  he  had  uncommon  difficulties 
to  encounter ;  yet,  through  the  grace  of  God  assist- 
ing him,  he  in  the  end  overcame  them  all.  Indeed, 
his  is  a  most  remarkable  case  of  the  efficiency  of 
divine  providence  and  grace ;  and  I  love  to  look  at 
it  in  this  light.  From  that  training  in  which  he  had 
been  educated  for  God,  and  by  the  influence  of  which 
he  seemed,  while  under  the  parental  roof,  almost  a 
Christian,  he  had  in  the  course  of  years  of  successful 
business,  as  you  have  often  told  me,  been  drawn 
entirely  aside  into  rank  infidelity. 

"  It  was  affliction  that  compelled  the  sailor  to 
leave  the  ocean  which  he  had  ploughed;  the  sea- 
captain  to  forsake  the  fine  ship  which  he  had  navi- 
gated—  almost  to  the  ruin  of  his  soul  —  for  the 
retired  farm  and  the  lonely  cottage,  where  he  was 
compelled   to  look   inward,  and  where  for  the  re- 


466  MEMOIR   OF 

mainder  of  his  days,  he  was  shut  up  to  communion 
with  Heaven. 

"  Those  that  had  wronged  him  —  and  cruelly 
WTonged  he  had  been  —  he  left  to  settle  with  their 
God ;  himself  studying  forgiveness,  and  coveting 
only  the  spirit  of  his  Lord  and  Master  in  reference 
to  them,  while  he  labored  hard  to  obtain  a  livelihood 
by  tilling  the  rugged  ground  on  which  he  had  taken 
up  his  abode.  Sweet,  sweet  in  every  respect  are  my 
reminiscences  of  this  long  deceased  parent.  He  had 
a  noble  spirit,  which  led  him  to  look  up  the  sick,  lend 
them  aid,  watch  with  them  or  perform  for  them  any 
service  in  his  power.  What  he  possessed  was  freely 
given.  He  loved  the  kingdom  of  God  in  its  expan- 
sion. Much  more  comprehensive  were  his  views  of 
philanthropic  operations  than  were  those  entertained 
by  persons  in  general  at  his  time.  He  was  found 
rejoicing  in  the  very  first  rays  of  that  light  which  has 
now  so  extensively  dawned  upon  the  world.  But 
enough.  I  had  thought  only  to  drop  a  word,  yet  1 
knew  not  how  to  curb  my  pen.  I  conclude,  then,  by 
saying,  precious  to  me  are  my  remembrances  of  this 
father.  May  we  all  reach  heaven,  and  spend  an 
eternity  of  rest  with  him  and  our  Saviour  in  that 
sinless  world." 

Journal.  "Feb.  19,  1850.  — Two  Sabbaths  past 
have  been  solemn  and  impressive.  Brother  Crovvell, 
in  Essex,  has  quite  a  revival;  the  Lord  appears  to 
be  doing  a  thorough  work  there.  —  Have  had  many 
calls  of  late  from  antiquarian  correspondents."  The 
neV  religious  society  in  M.  based  on  unevangelical 
sentiments,  came  by  degrees  to  hold  in  name  the 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  467 

essentials  of  Christianity.  Mr.  T.  felt  an  inward 
joy  at  the  advance  thus  made,  and  says  :  "  My  prayer 
in  reference  to  that  society  ever  has  been,  Bless,  O 
Lord,  every  thing  that  originates  in  the  mind  of  the 
Spirit." 

In  notes  made  Tuesday,  March  5th,  he  speaks  of 
the  Saviour's  coming  very  near  to  him  the  Saturday 
night  previous,  and  owning  him  as  a  disciple.  On 
the  Sabbath,  he  was  so  much  assisted  from  above, 
that  he  felt  compelled  to  pray  against  spiritual 
pride. 

Mr.  T.  and  Rev.  Dr.  Crowell,  of  Essex,  corre- 
sponded at  times  in  Latin.  The  following  was 
written  March  7,  1850. 

"  Frater  charissime  :  —  Epistolam  tuam,  me, 
pro  populo  tuo,  die  Martis  decimo  quarto  futuro, 
prsedicare  invitantam,  heri  recepi.  Animo  libanti, 
invitationem  tuam  suscipiam ;  et,  Deo  volente,  me, 
tecum,  die  Jovis  nominato  (Martis  die  decimo  quar- 
to) ante  meridiem,  videbis.  De  resuscitatione  religi- 
osa  tecum  progredienti,  famam  recipere,  me  delecta- 
tione  afficit.  Nobiscum,  eheu!  per  omnes  partes, 
animi  professorum,  rerum  inanium  amantes,  vel 
neque  frigidi  neque  calidi,  sunt.  Dies  Sabbaticus 
ultimus  tamen  plenus  solennitatis,  apud  eucharistiam, 
et  quidem  per  prsedicandi  tempus  fuit;  et  magis 
precationis  spiritus  ut  opinor,  habemus.  Quod  de 
nostrae  Societatis  Mancuniensis  Chrystianse  (ut  nu- 
perrime  nuncupata  erat)  transformaiione  cogitas? 
Libellum,  eventum  concilii  ecclesiastici  apud  Salem 
convocati,  de  Decembris,  1849,  quarto,  continentem, 
obtinni,  sed  non,''nisi  exparte,  legi.     Tibi,  dies  non- 


468  MEMOIR    OP 

nullos  epistolam,  Latine  scriptam  debui;  sed  me 
scripturum,  multum  laboris  de  nostris  rebus  Scholas- 
ticis  municifalibus  (me  uno  e  delectis  Scholasticis) 
impedivit.  Hanc,  calamo  currenti  scriptam,  in 
Christo,  recipe." 

March  16  he  says :  "  Yesterday  afternoon  and 
evening  I  was  at  Essex,  preaching  for  brother  C. 
About  thirty  hopeful  conversions  have  occurred 
there.  Enjoyed  pleasant  conversation  with  him  and 
his  family." 

Extracts  from  a  letter  to  his  brother  T.,  March 
29,  1850. 

"  I  cannot  stop  now  to  inquire  about  the  state  of 
our  correspondence.  My  belief  is,  that  I  have  been 
for  some  time  indebted  to  you ;  but  great  demands 
have  been  made  upon  my  pen  the  past  year.  The 
winter  has  been  one  of  health  and  labor ;  but  whether 
of  profit,  is  another  question.  I  love  my  work ;  the 
ministry  is  desirable,  if  the  heart  be  in  it.  It  is  full 
of  heaven,  though  there  are  severe  trials  connected 
with  it,  and  to  me  there  are  peculiar  ones  at  the 
present  time.  '  There  is  a  river,'  however,  *  the 
stream  whereof  shall  make  glad  the  city  of  God,' 
and  that  promise  of  perpetual  presence,  given  by 
Christ  to  his  ministers,  is  an  unfailing  source  of 
comfort.  You  hear,  I  suppose,  the  daily  result  of 
Professor  Webster's  trial  for  the  murder  of  Dr.  Park- 
man.  Who  can  doubt  for  a  moment  that  he  is 
guilty  of  the  crime  charged  upon  him?  How 
dreadful  thus  to  take  the  life  of  a  fellow  man !  How 
much  more  criminal  to  slay  the  Son  of  God ! " 


REV.   OLIVER    A.  TAYLOR.  469 

Journal.  "  April  1.  —  Saturday  was  the  day  of 
our  annual  parish  trial.  I  have  been  wounded  in  the 
house  of  my  friends.  It  greatly  effects  my  poor 
body  and  brain;  but  God  can  bring  light  out  of 
darkness.  In  the  mean  time,  I  recognize  his  hand 
of  mercy  in  many  ways.  I  came  here,  I  doubt  not, 
by  the  will  of  God ;  and  must  leave  it  with  him  to 
decide  when  to  go ;  not  running,  however,  before  I 
am  sent."  On  the  4th  he  speaks  of  having  visited 
Newburyport,  Andover,  Boston,  etc.,  and  adds  :  "  My 
mind  was  much  weighed  down  all  the  way  by  the 
state  of  things  in  my  parish.  I  am  conscious  of 
overwhelming  imperfections.  8.  —  Mrs.  T.  and  my- 
self proceed  along  as  calmly  as  possible,  resolved  to 
watch  the  course  of  things  for  awhile  in  silence, 
hoping  to  maintain  serene  spirits,  and  get  nearer  to 
Christ  than  ever  before.  16.  —  A  new  phase  of 
things  is  coming  up.  O,  these  trials,  how  they  da 
worry  me !  Lord,  grant  divine  guidance  and  sup- 
port. The  journey  may  be  rough,  but  cannot  be 
long.  22.  —  Hear  of  several  cases  of  conviction, 
and  one  of  hopeful  conversion.  23.  —  Our  meeting 
last  night  was  very  full  and  solemn,  notwithstanding 
it  was  a  rainy  evening.  The  Lord  is  with  us.  Have 
endeavored  to  get  a  little  more  time  than  usual  this 
afternoon  to  call  upon  God. 

"  May  8.  —  Our  inquiry  meeting  quite  full.  20.  — 
Exchanged  yesterday  with  the  Rev.  John  Emerson, 
of  Newburyport.  I  was  unwell,  but  otherwise  had 
much  enjoyment. 

June  1.  —  He  speaks  of  having  just  returned  from 
the  Boston  anniversaries.  — "  Had  a  rich,  heavenly 

40 


470  MEMOIR    OF 

time,  especially  at  the  morning  prayer-meetings. 
Last  evening  a  house  full  of  inquirers.  12.  —  Instal- 
lation at  Hamilton  ;  an  interesting  occasion. 

"July  10. —  The  affecting  news  of  President  Tay- 
lor's death.  Indeed,  solemn  events  have  clustered 
together  in  a  brief  space  of  late." 

Not  far  from  this  time  he  transmitted  to  Rev.  Dr. 
Sprague,  of  Albany,  N.  Y.,  memorials  in  manuscript 
of  Rev.  Habijah  Weld,  to  be  incorporated  into  a  work 
which  Dr.  S.  is  preparing. 

"  August  18.  —  Am  forty-nine  years  of  age.  Little 
have  I  done  for  Heaven  the  last  year,  though  it  has 
been  my  aim  to  discharge  faithfully  my  pastoral  du- 
ties, and  some  souls  have  been  hopefully  converted 
to  God.  Perhaps  I  have  a  greater  sense  of  my  un- 
worthiness  and  absolute  dependence  on  divine 
strength  than  ever  before.  Where  another  year  will 
find  me,  I  know  not."  Notes  made  Aug.  26.  —  "  On 
the  22d  brother  T.  and  wife  came,  remaining  till  the 
next  day,  then  leaving  for  Wenham.  In  the  after- 
noon brother  Elisha  Cleaveland  and  family  arrived 
from  New  Haven.  He  preached  for  me  twice  on  the 
Sabbath.  28.  —  Brother  John  C.  sent  his  carriage 
from  Topsfield,  and  took  us  all  there.  29.  —  Bicen- 
tennial celebration  at  that  place ;  brother  Nehemiah 
gave  an  excellent  Historical  Address.  The  occasion 
brought  together  nearly  all  my  wife's  family  friends. 
31." —  Am  greatly  exercised  with  a  sense  of  unwor- 
thiness.  It  seems  as  if  I  should  have  to  hide  from  my 
Saviour,  were  it  possible.  Am  often  guilty  of  suffer- 
ing passion  and  selfishness  to  predominate.  If  the 
Lord  Jesus  do  not  take  hold  of  me  and  entwine  him- 


EEV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  471 

self  around  my  soul,  I  am  lost.  Find  myself  con- 
stantly breaking  my  resolutions,  yet  without  them  I 
do  nothing. 

"  Sept.  6. —  Mournful  tidings  have  come  from  Cal- 
ifornia. I  rejoice  that  I  was  so  faithful  in  preaching 
on  the  subject  of  emigrating  thither.  I  lost  friends 
by  my  fidelity ;  but  God  has  verified  every  word  I 
uttered."  On  the  10th  it  became  his  duty  to  inform 
a  widow  lady  of  her  son's  death  at  sea.  —  "I  intro- 
duced the  subject  by  asking  her  if  she  could  say, 
'  The  Lord  gave,'  etc.,  reminding  her  that  she  had 
special  occasion  for  such  a  state  of  mind.  She  re- 
ceived the  intelligence  like  a  Christian.  30.  —  A 
curious  meteor  has  been  seen  to-night."  See  a  notice 
in  the  Evening  Traveller,  October  2,  which  he  wrote ; 
the  article,  however,  needs  correcting,  he  says,  as  to 
the  direction  of  the  meteor. 

"  Oct.  8.  —  I  came  home  in  despondency,  and 
sought  rest  in  the  same  state  of  mind ;  but  had  much 
tossing  to  and  fro  through  the  night.  The  most  pain- 
ful part  of  the  whole  is,  that  I  am  so  unworthy  to 
be  a  minister,  always  breaking  covenant  vows.  The 
Saviour  does  not,  however,  wholly  leave  me.  He 
whispers,  lean  on  me.  O,  could  I  do  so,  that  is  all  I 
want.  23.  —  Attended  an  ordination  at  Lynnfield, 
and  gave  the  charge  to  the  candidate. 

Nov.  7.  —  He  says  that  he  found  a  handsome  pre- 
sent on  his  return  home,  bestowed  by  young  ladies, 
and  remarks,  "  Thus  the  Lord  raises  up  some  kind 
hearts,  while  he  removes  others.  I  mourn  greatly 
an  absent  Saviour ;  I  do  not  walk  in  his  love ;  I  have 
the  heart-ache  when  I  think  of  my  flying  time,  my 
remaining  sin,  and  my  dark  prospects  of  meeting 


472  MEMOIR    OP 

with  the  acceptance  of  my  Saviour.  23.  —  Have 
just  sent  off  the  Cleaveland  Genealogy  to  brother  Ne- 
hemiah,  New  York  city.  I  have  intended  to  devote 
only  recreative  time  to  the  work.  Each  one  of  us 
owes  something  in  such  matters  to  our  race,  and  I 
am  aiming  to  perform  my  part.  The  above  geneal- 
ogy is  not  complete,  but  is  in  such  a  state  that  others 
can  finish  it  if  they  please.  It  is  important  to  bring 
every  work  into  a  shape  suitable  to  be  left,  lest  death 
surprise  us,  and  we  be  called  to  leave  it  in  Sibylline 
leaves  to  fly  away  and  perish.  I  have  now  on  hand 
labor,  labor,  labor  I " 

In  the  first  part  of  December,  he  speaks  of  desiring 
to  arrange  all  historical  and  other  matters  in  which 
he  was  engaged  for  his  people,  so  that  if  it  should 
seem  best,  he  might  be  dismissed  from  Manchester. 
He  mentions  having  symptoms  of  a  heart  difficulty, 
and  says :  "  In  spirituals,  I  have  had  deeper  anxiety 
and  more  earnest  longings  of  late." 

Being  brought  to  the  close  of  another  volume  of 
his  journal,  he  says :  "  It  has  occupied  me  not  quite 
two  years.  How  soon  will  all  journalizing  be  wound 
up  on  earth."  —  It  is  worthy  of  notice,  that  his  next 
book  remains  much  of  it  blank. 

December  6th  we  find  him  making  an  effort  to 
awaken  a  religious  interest  in  a  sick  man  who  was 
apparently  without  the  slightest  sense  of  his  perilous 
condition.  Of  him  Mr.  T.  remarks :  "  He  was  kind, 
but  laughed  when  I  spoke  to  him  about  death.  He 
affirmed  that  he  had  no  fears  of  it."  The  pastor  did 
not  relinquish  this  hardened  invalid,  but  repeated  his 
visits  from  day  to  day,  till  a  deep  religious  impres- 
sion was  produced.     "  14.  —  A  returned  Californian 


KEV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  473 

told  me,  that  while  at  the  mines  he  had  often  thought 
of  the  following  passage  in  the  sermon  which  I 
preached  to  his  company  just  as  they  were  leaving 
M. :  '  The  cloud  may  he  charged  with  mercy  drops ; 
hut  I  fear  it  contains  a  thunderbolt.'^  17.  —  A  day  of 
variable  feelings,  but  I  experienced  a  happy  frame 
in  meditating  on  the  death  of  Mrs.  M.  It  seemed  to 
me  that  she  had  arrived  at  heaven,  and  sent  down  a 
portion  of  its  fragrance."  The  allusion  here  is  to  an 
aged  lady,  who  had  lived  alone,  and  was  found  in 
her  dwelling  after  she  had  lain  thirty  hours  in  a  pa- 
ralysis. She  in  a  measure  recovered  her  speech  and 
understanding.  When  taken  by  the  shock,  she  had 
just  sat  down  to  read  her  Bible.  After  she  was  some- 
what restored,  Mr.  T.  repeated  to  her  Scripture  prom- 
ises, and  she  responded,  "  Sweet,  precious  words." 
Having  attended  her  funeral,  he  writes  thus  in  his 
journal:  "  Farewell,  dear  saint;  may  I  meet  thee  in 
the  bright  world  of  glory."  December  21  he  speaks 
of  being  deeply  anxious  on  account  of  a  telegraphic 
despatch  from  New  Orleans,  announcing  a  fearful 
explosion  of  a  vessel,  on  board  of  which  were  some 
of  his  people.  31.  —  The  last  day  of  the  first  half  of 
the  century.  Have  thought  much  of  this  fact  while 
devoting  the  day  to  writing  letters." 

The  disaster  at  New  Orleans,  already  noted,  oc- 
casioned his  writing  the  ensuing  letter  to  the  Boston 
Traveller.     It  was  published  January,  1851. 

"  Dear    Traveller  :  —  We   have    just   had   our 
hearts  greatly  rejoiced  by  the  return  of  Capt.  J.  P. 
Holm  to  his  family,  far  advanced  in  a  state  of  con- 
valescence.    He  was  badly  scalded  and  bruised  in 
40* 


474  MEMOIR    OF 

the  terrible  disaster  of  the  13th  of  December,  that  oc- 
curred to  the  Anglo  Norman,  about  five  miles  above 
New  Orleans,  on  her  return  from  a  pleasure  trip,  with 
125  persons  on  board,  mostly  merchants,  sea-captains, 
and  others  of  extensive  connections,  in  that  city  and 
elsewhere.  At  least  20  lost  their  lives,  and  many 
others  were  dreadfully  mangled. 

"  The  Captain  had  a  very  narrow  escape.  He  was 
walking  only  a  minute  or  two  before  on  the  deck 
with  Captain  Junius  Beebe,  having  his  left  hand  be- 
hind him.  Some  one  stepped  up  and  said,  *  Captain 
Beebe,  what  do  you  think  of  such  a  matter  ? '  This 
separated  them,  the  one  walking  forward,  and  the 
other  aft,  and  almost  at  that  instant  the  explosion 
took  place,  the  part  of  the  deck  on  which  Capt.  B. 
was  walking  being  thrown  high  up  into  the  air  with 
the  boiler,  and  coming  down  in  the  water ;  while  the 
part  on  which  Captain  H.  was  found  after  the  disas- 
ter, remained  permanent.  Captain  B.  has  never 
been  heard  of  since,  though  hundreds  of  dollars  have 
been  offered  for  the  recovery  of  his  body  His 
wife  and  daughter  were  on  board,  and  were  uninjured. 

"  It  is  somewhat  uncertain  how  Captain  Holm  was 
struck.  His  physician  supposes  he  must  have  been 
thrown  at  least  50  feet  into  the  air,  and  have  come 
down  upon  that  part  of  the  deck  aft  on  which  he  was 
found.  It  is  rather  probable  that  he  was  hit  by  some 
flying  piece  of  the  part  of  the  deck  that  was  blown 
up,  and  scalded  by  that  portion  of  the  steam  which  shot 
out  obliquely.  His  back  was  towards  the  boiler,  and 
this  circumstance  saved  him.  He  remembers  noth- 
ing from  the  time  of  his  separation  from  Capt  Beebe, 
until  after  three  days. 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  475 

"  Captain  H.  is  the  person  alluded  to  by  the  editor 
of  the  Picayune,  in  his  account  of  the  disaster  given 
the  day  after  it  happened,  as  seen  walking  with  Cap- 
tain Beebe,  just  before.  He  is  a  Dane,  by  birth,  but 
an  American  by  education ;  and  belongs  to  a  class 
of  persons  among  us,  at  present  scarce,  but  which 
used,  formerly,  to  be  very  numerous.  Within  thirty 
years,  forty -five  sea-captains  belonged  here  at  one 
time ;  some  of  whom  had  not  only  mates,  but  crews 
from  this  town.  Now,  about  half  a  dozen  is  all  we 
can  count ;  the  cabinet  business  with  us  having  taken 
the  place  of  sea-faring  employments.  Many  of  our 
people,  a  year  or  two  since,  were  allured  to  Califor- 
nia, by  the  hope  of  rapid  gains.  The  enterprise  has, 
for  the  most  part,  proved  a  failure.  At  least  seven 
persons  have  lost  their  lives  in  C. ;  ten  or  fifteen  have 
returned ;  and  the  emigration  still  sets  homeward. 

"  Let  me  close  with  charging  you  editors  and  the 
public  in  general,  to  see  that  our  Manchester  receives 
no  detriment.  True,  we  do  not  number  quite  two 
thousand  inhabitants,  but  we  were  incorporated  as  a 
town  in  1645,  the  earliest  of  that  name  in  the  land, 
and  duly  called  after  Manchester  in  England,  from 
which  place  some  of  our  first  settlers  emigrated  ;  and 
yet  there  are  now  at  least  twenty-five  other  places 
bearing  our  name,  most  of  them  of  very  recent  date, 
especially  one  in  New  Hampshire,  and  another  in 
Mississippi,  that  run  away  with  our  letters,  papers, 
and  sometimes  even  our  cash.  Such  things  ought 
not  to  be.  There  should  at  least  be  more  deference 
paid  to  age  and  experience.     Yours." 


CHAPTER  XII. 

HIS  LAST  YEAR SICKNESS  AND  DEATH. 

This  chapter  may  be  appropriately  commenced  by 
a  quotation  from  his  journal  of  Jan.  1,  1851 :  "  The 
first  day  in  a  new  year,  and  perhaps  the  first  day  of 
the  last  year  of  my  life.  It  becomes  me  to  be  watch- 
ful, diligent,  and  in  all  respects  faithful."  On  the  5th 
of  this  month,  after  alluding  to  the  anniversary  of  his 
father's  death,  he  speaks  of  being  unusually  inter- 
ested at  the  communion  table.  About  this  time  he 
was  called  to  attend  upon  a  dying  young  woman, 
whom  he  had  sought  savingly  to  benefit  from  her 
childhood.  Of  her,  as  she  was  approaching  the  dark 
valley,  he  remarks :  "  Poor  M.  clings  to  me,  and  my 
whole  soul  is  awakened  in  her  behalf.  Again  and 
again  have  I  endeavored  to  carry  her  by  faith  to 
Christ.  O,  that  I  could  find  her  rejoicing  in  him ! 
How  has  my  heart  bled  for  her ! " 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  winter,  he  prepared  and 
published  Articles  of  Faith,  and  a  Covenant  for  his 
church ;  also  in  connection  with  these  a  brief  history 
of  it.  He  mentions  on  the  31st  having  been  in  ag- 
ony nearly  all  the  preceding  night  by  a  sciatic  attack. 
Under  date  of  March  4th  he  records  being  engaged 
in  raising  money  to  assist  a  neighboring  needy  par- 


MEMOIR    OF    EEV.   0.   A.   TAYLOR.  477 

ish.     His  Association  met  with  him  this  month,  and 
the  occasion  afforded  him  great  enjoyment. 

The  following  letter,  written  March  28th,  was  ad- 
dressed to  the  parents  of  Rev.  John  Emerson,  soon 
after  the  death  of  that  son  at  Newburyport,  where 
they  still  reside,  and  where  he  had  been  a  pastor  one 
year : — 

"  My  dear  Friends  :  —  I  learn  from  the  papers, 
and  otherwise,  that  your  dear  J.  has  left  you  —  gone 
to  his  great  account,  —  entered  the  house  not  made 
with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens.  It  is  indeed  a 
sad,  a  solemn  stroke,  which  has  deprived  you  of  such 
a  son ;  especially  in  your  advanced  years,  when  you 
seem  to  need  him  for  a  prop  to  lean  upon.  It  is,  I  know, 
beyond  what  I  can  realize,  a  bitter  cup  —  and  yet  what 
a  cup  of  blessings,  too,  you  have  doubtless  found  it,  or 
at  least  will,  if  the  stroke  be  rightly  improved.  How 
many  consoling  reflections  cluster  around  the  event ! 
You  had  given  him  away  to  God.  More  than  that, 
to  God  and  his  service  he  had  given  himself.  He 
had  been  set  apart  for  the  work  of  the  ministry.  In 
a  word,  he  was  the  Lord's,  not  only  for  time  but  for 
eternity.  The  Lord  then  had  a  right  to  use  him 
when  and  where  he  pleased.  He  chose,  after  a  brief 
space,  to  call  him  to  his  more  exalted  service  above. 
No  doubt  the  will  of  the  Almighty  is  altogether  best ; 
and  though  at  present  we  see  not  how  it  can  be  so, 
what  we  know  not  now,  we  may  hereafter.  You 
will  permit  me  to  mingle  my  sorrows  with  yours  on 
this  occasion.  To  the  proper  source  of  consolation, 
there  is  no  need  of  my  pointing  you,  for  yourselves 
know,  that  from  the  throne  of  God  down  to  the  bot- 


478  MEMOIR    OP 

tomless  pit  there  is  but  one  source  of  genuine  conso- 
lation, namely,  the  love  of  God  in  Christ  —  the  bosom 
of  Jesus.  We  shall  find  it  nowhere  else.  The  Lord 
stand  by  you  in  this  trying  scene,  and  enable  you  so 
to  endure  as  to  honor  his  great  and  holy  name.  It 
should  be  ours,  in  such  circumstances,  to  bow  in  sub- 
mission, and  weep  for  ourselves,  preparing  for  our 
own  change. 

'  Whate'er  God  does  is  kindly  done ; 

Though  bitter  now  the  cup, 
'T  is  tendered  by  a  skilful  one. 

And  I  must  drink  it  up. 
Sweet  joy,  indeed,  will  soon  succeed 

The  anguish  that  I  feel. 
And,  therefore,  peace  —  be  still/ 

"  Thus  speaks  a  poet  in  regard  to  one  view  of  this 
subject,  but  how  aptly  has  another  said :  — 

*  One  army  of  the  living  God ; 
To  his  command  we  bow ; 
Part  of  the  host  have  crossed  the  flood, 
And  part  are  crossing  now.' 

"  There  was  much  in  your  son's  case  to  remind 
one  of  the  sentiment ;  *  The  good  die  young,  but 
those  who  are  dry  as  dust,  burn  to  their  sockets.' 

"  I  could  tell  you  with  what  interest  he  was  heard 
by  my  people,  partly  from  his  connection  with  their 
former  minister,  but  more  for  his  own  sake.  There 
was  a  fascination  about  him  in  the  pulpit,  which 
attracted  every  one,  and  will  not  soon  be  forgotten. 
But  this  is  a  thought  of  inferior  moment  to  you, 
who  feel  that  he  is  now  an  angel  of  light,  engaged 
in  the  pure  worship  of  heaven.     His  dear  flock  will 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  479 

miss  him,  but  God  will  provide  for  their  necessities, 
and  perhaps  render  his  death  more  serviceable  to 
them  in  its  sanctifying  influences,  than  a  long  and 
laborious  life  on  his  part  would  have  been.  Mrs.  T. 
unites  irr  kind  remembrance ;  and  so  doubtless 
would  others  here,  if  they  knew  me  to  be  writing 
you." 

In  April  Mr.  T.  was  greatly  distressed  on  hearing 
it  aflirmed  by  persons  in  an  adjoining  town,  that 
some  of  the  cabinet  shops  in  Manchester  had,  from 
their  first  establishment,  been  gambling  schools.  The 
statement  kept  him  awake  at  night.  In  the  course 
of  his  pastoral  visits  at  this  time,  being  almost 
excluded  from  the  room  of  one  sick  man,  he  makes 
this  comment :  "  I  solemnly  feel  that  a  little  less  of 
worldly  visiting  and  more  of  religious,  would  prove 
beneficial ;  that  more  of  the  minister  and  less  of  the 
doctor,  would  be  of  greater  use  in  this  case."  April 
brought  that  time  of  terrors — parish-meeting  day. 
With  pleasure  did  he  state  at  its  expiration,  that 
much  good  feeling  was  exhibited  in  the  meeting,  and 
that  society  matters  had  taken  a  more  favorable  turn 
than  for  several  years  previous.  A  little  subse- 
quently, he  remarks :  "  I  am  afraid  here  to  state 
how  near  the  Saviour  has  been  to  me  yesterday  and 
to-day." 

It  was,  perhaps,  the  first  of  April  that  he  made  a 
visit  to  Newburyport,  called  upon  the  parents  of 
Rev.  J.  Emerson,  and  enjoyed  a  very  delightful  inter- 
view with  Rev.  Mr.  Campbell.  Their  theme  was, 
union  to  Christ.  Returning  from  N.,  he  passed  the 
Sabbath  at  Danvers    Plains.     Both    Saturday  and 


480  MEMOIR    OP 

Monday,  he  was  afflicted  with  great  depression  of 
spirits.  On  reaching  home,  he  writes :  "  There  has 
been  since  my  return  an  incessant  war  in  my  soul. 
God  has  indeed  blessed  me  in  the  harmoniousness 
of  my  flock  this  spring.  I  know,  too,  that  Christ's 
Jove  is  every  thing,  and  I  endeavor  to  get  down  at 
his  feet  and  embrace  them,  and  give  myself  up  to 
his  glory.  I  call  to  mind  also  his  declaration,  that 
those  who  forsake  all  for  him,  shall  receive  <  man- 
ifold more  in  this  present  time,  and  in  the  world  to 
come  life  everlasting.'  I  meditate  upon  the  tempta- 
tions of  the  Saviour,  especially  that  one,  in  which 
the  kingdoms  of  the  world  were  held  out  to  allure  him ; 
but  the  bait  was  rejected  with  disdain.  Moreover,  I 
remember  my  own  unworthiness ;  and  yet  thoughts 
of  some  past  trials  oppress  me.  I  feel,  however, 
more  and  more,  that  I  may  safely  leave  all  events 
with  divine  Providence." 

"April  17,  1851. 

"  My  dear  Brother  T.  :  —  How  are  you  ?  In 
comfortable  health  and  spirits?  Is  the  candle  of 
the  Lord  shining  on  your  head  ?  Find  you  still  a 
refuge  under  his  almighty  wings  ? 

"  Where  debt  or  credit  is,  in  this  our  correspond- 
ence, I  have  forgotten,  and  it  is  too  much  trouble  to 
search  it  out ;  but  at  any  rate  it  seems  time  to  look 
each  other  up. 

"  Our  parish  matters,  under  the  guidance  of 
Heaven,  took  a  very  favorable  turn  this  spring,  and 
we  are  at  present  in  peace. 

"  Mary  has  been  sick,  but  is  convalescent.  A 
storm  has  been  raging  here  ever  since  Monday 
evening,  though  it  has,  perhaps,  abated  a  little ;  it  is 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  481 

still  severe,  and  has  done  great  damage.  Heaven 
enfold  you  and  yours  in  arms  of  mercy.  Mary  sends 
love." 

May  20  he  speaks  of  having  walked  some  time 
in  spiritual  darkness.  Near  the  close  of  this  month 
he  made  a  tour  into  Pennsylvania,  visiting  friends, 
and  endeavoring  to  recruit  his  enfeebled  health. 
One  particular  object  besides,  which  he  had  in  view, 
was  the  collecting  of  materials  for  a  memoir  of  his 
uncle,  T.  Alden. 

"  Meadville,  Pennsylvania,  June  2.  —  Preached 
once  for  Rev.  Mr.  Reynolds,  yesterday,  in  the  same 
sanctuary  in  which  I  used  to  worship.  It  was  com- 
munion season,  and  a  pleasant  one  to  me.  April  30, 
1822,  I  bade  adieu  to  Meadville,  and  well  do  I  re- 
member the  affecting  scene.  The  house  in  which  it 
occurred  stands,  but  every  thing  else  has  changed. 
I  have  never  seen  my  uncle  Timothy  since  then. 
Only  a  few  of  the  old  inhabitants  remain  here. 

"  The  first  object  that  met  my  eye  on  entering  M. 
was  the  glittering  ball  on  the  college  edifice.  This 
building  had  not  been  erected  when  I  left  M."  Un- 
der this  date  he  speaks  of  the  Saviour  as  seeming 
unusually  near. 

"  June  3.  —  Spent  most  of  yesterday  in  examining 
the  old  papers  in  uncle  Isaiah's  family.  In  the 
evening  called  upon  Professor  Kingsley,  of  the  Col- 
lege, and  Professor  Stebbins,  of  the  Unitarian  The- 
ological School  with  whom  1  unexpectedly  found 
Rev.  N.  S.  Folsom.  8.  —  Preached  in  the  morning 
for  Rev.  Mr.  Reynolds,  and  in  the  evening  for  Rev. 
Mr.  Craighead,  with  whom  Mrs.  T.  and  myself  be- 
41 


482  MEMOIR    OF 

came  acquainted  in  1847,  while  descending  the  Ohio 
river.  The  past  week  I  have  principally  spent  in 
examining  the  College  Records,  and  must  work  hard 
in  order  to  go  through  them  in  season.  Have  taken 
tea  with  some  old  friends,  also  with  Professors  Steb- 
bins  and  Folsom.  11.  —  Am  about  taking  leave  of 
this  place.  Was  at  the  college  Chapel  this  morning, 
and,  by  request,  read  the  Scriptures,  offered  remarks, 
and  prayed.  Am  waiting  for  the  stage.  The  Lord 
bless  Meadville."  Leaving  M.  he  visited  Pittsburg 
and  Alleghany.  On  the  18th  he  started  for  Cleve- 
land, Dunkirk,  and  Deposit.  He  was  at  the  last 
named  on  the  23d,  having  been  sick  and  under 
the  care  of  a  physician  the  preceding  day.  There 
he  visited  the  widow  (second  wife)  of  his  uncle  T. 
Alden.  He  might  have  resumed  his  journey  Mon- 
day morning,  by  taking  a  train  of  cars  which  left 
their  starting  place  on  the  Sabbath,  but  this  he 
was  unwilling  to  do.  From  Deposit  he  went  to 
Newark  and  enjoyed  a  pleasant  interview  with  Rev. 
Dr.  Stearns ;  thence  he  came  to  New  Haven,  where 
he  met  his  wife  at  the  house  of  her  brother.  Rev.  Dr. 
Cleaveland. 

To  Rev.  Mr.  Gale,  Rockport,  Massachusetts. 

"New  Haven,  June  27. 
"  Dear  Brother  :  —  This  is  just  to  say  to  you, 
and  through  you  to  the  brethren  of  the  Association, 
that  it  will  be  out  of  my  power  to  take  a  part  in 
your  deliberations  next  Tuesday.  I  very  much  regret 
this  for  several  reasons.  First,  we  all  need  to  be 
present  that  each,  may  bear  a  part ;  and  secondly, 
our  exercises  as  marked  out,  are  such  as  greatly  in- 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  483 

terest  me;  and  thirdly,  I  desire  to  encourage  the 
brethren  by  my  presence  and  fidelity.  I  wish  to  say 
a  word  about  the  passage,  '  For  I  know  that  my 
Redeemer  liveth.'  I  feel  the  force  of  Mr.  Barnes' 
reasoning  ;  but  the  Hebrew  is  susceptible  of  a  most 
clear  and  facile  rendering,  making  the  words  refera- 
ble to  Christ,  and  the  seeing  of  God^  such  a  sight  of 
him  as  the  righteous  have  after  death.  Job  was  a 
man  of  such  piety  as  could  have  sprung  only  from 
correct  doctrinal  knowledge.  I  do  not  believe  that 
the  arguments  drawn  from  the  general  train  of 
thought  brought  to  view  by  Mr.  B.  and  his  friends, 
prove  the  contrary  of  the  spiritual  view.  Here  I 
hold.  As  to  the  resurrection,  all  difficulty  in  regard 
to  it  is  obviated  by  three  considerations.  1.  We  do 
not  know  what  matter  is.  Some  important  thoughts 
on  this  point  may  be  found  in  Berkeley.  2.  The 
body  to  be  raised  will  be  spiritual ;  that  is,  one  in 
which  matter  is  to  receive  great  refinement.  3. 
Since  God  has  declared  that  there  shall  be  a  resur- 
rection, he  of  course  will  find  out  a  way  for  its  ac- 
complishment. I  desire  to  say  more,  but  must  for- 
bear.    In  haste  and  in  love,  yours." 

Before  returning  to  Manchester,  Mr.  T.  with  his 
wife  visited  Hawley,  and  preached  there  twice  on 
the  Sabbath.  He  says :  "  I  found  mother  feeble  and 
decaying.  Fear  this  is  the  last  time  I  shall  see  her 
in  the  flesh.  The  Lord  prepare  her  for  all  changes, 
particularly  for  death." 

Tuesday,  July  1,  he  rode  from  H.  with  his  mother 
to  Plainfield,  an  adjoining  town,  his  wife  and  sister 
going  also  in  another  carriage.     They  all  met  at  his 


484  MEMOIR    OF 

sister  Hamlin's.  Of  his  visit  he  remarks :  "  We 
had  a  very  sweet  season  together,  cousin  Lucy  T. 
Alden  being  with  us." 

Towards  night,  his  mother  and  Mary  deciding 
that  they  must  return  to  their  home,  the  company 
joined  in  singing  a  number  of  those  precious  tunes 
which  have  so  often  cheered  the  hearts  of  God's 
people,  in  the  words  usually  set  to  them.  Among 
those  named  by  him,  are  Balerma,  Ortonville,  Elgin, 
Old  China,  Golden  Hill,  etc.  They  concluded  with 
these  words,  "  Your  harps,  ye  trembling  saints,"  etc., 
after  which  he  offered  prayer.  Of  this  hallowed  occa- 
sion he  observes :  "  The  Holy  Spirit  seemed  present, 
and  we  were  united  in  heart  around  the  mercy-seat. 
The  Saviour  appeared  very  near  to  us.  When 
mother  and  Mary  had  taken  leave  of  the  company, 
I  walked  along  beside  their  carriage,  till  we  reached 
the  meeting-house.  Stopping  near  that  sacred  edi- 
fice, we  gave  each  other  a  parting  kiss,  and  I  pointed 
to  it,  saying,  '  Mother,  keep  that  in  mind.^  Wishing, 
however,  to  prolong  my  walk,  I  followed  after  them, 
by  the  west  road,  until  we  all  reached  the  graveyard, 
where  sleep  the  remains  of  Rev.  Mr.  Hallock,  and 
many  of  his  flock.  There,  —  the  hoilse  of  God  still 
in  view,  —  I  again  took  my  leave  of  them.  Having 
watched  them  in  their  course  till  they  were  out  of 
sight,  I  turned  with  deeply  serious  emotions,  then 
walked  along  the  east  road,  leading  to  the  meeting- 
house, and  returned  thence  to  brother  Hamlin's. 
This  is  quite  probably  my  last  interview  with  mo- 
ther in  the  land  of  the  living,  unless  I  am  called  to 
see  her  on  her  death-bed.  Her  last  request  to  me 
was,  that  I  would  daily  pray  for  herself  and  Mary." 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  485 

The  day  following,  after  attending  the  funeral  of 
Mr.  Samuel  Beals,  the  last  son  of  the  "  Mountain 
Miller,"  Mr.  T.  and  wife  started  for  their  home,  pass- 
ing a  night  with  his  sister  and  family,  at  South 
Deerfield.  Saturday,  July  5,  they  arrived  at  Man- 
chester ;  and  he  then  says,  in  his  journal :  "  God  has 
crowned  us  with  his  mercy."  Monday,  he  speaks  of 
having  had  a  pleasant,  though  laborious  Sabbath. 
That  week,  the  Conference  of  Churches  met  with 
him,  and  he  greatly  enjoyed  the  exercises  of  the 
occasion.  On  the  18th  he  was  affected  by  the  intelli- 
gence of  the  death  of  Mrs.  Susan,  widow  of  his 
uncle  Isaiah  Alden,  but  was  thankful  that  he  had 
been  permitted  only  a  few  weeks  previous  to  visit 
her,  and  that  she  died  in  gospel  faith  and  hope.  In 
this  month  he  made  efforts  for  the  removal  of  a 
parish  debt  which  rested  on  his  people,  and  sub- 
scribed quite  an  amount  towards  it.  "21.  —  O,  how 
I  am  tried  with  Sabbath-breaking.  22.  —  Parted 
with  a  dear  cousin.  Hardly  think  we  shall  meet 
again.  The  Lord  bless  that  widow  and  her  children. 
I  felt  very  solemn  when  I  knelt  at  family  prayers  this 
morning,  being  about  to  take  leave  of  her."  He  refers 
to  Mrs.  Josephine  Maitland,  a  daughter  of  Rev.  T. 
Alden.  She  had  been  passing  a  short  time  at  his 
house.  On  the  day  preceding  her  departure,  they, 
accompanied  by  Mrs.  Taylor,  rode  around  the 
Cape. 

"July  31,  1851. 

"  My  dear  Brother   T.  :  —  Yours  was  duly  re- 
ceived.    I  rejoice  to  hear  of  the  work  of  the  Lord 
among  your  people,  but  knowing  how  such  occasions 
take  hold  of  the  feelings,  I  am  not  without  solicitude 
41* 


486  MEMOIR    OF 

as  to  your  health.  Let  me,  as  a  brother,  conjure  you, 
to  be  cautious  in  this  matter,  and  be  sure  not  to  go 
beyond  your  strength.  Leave  the  Lord  to  take  care 
of  his  own  work.  By  one  single  overacting  of  your 
mental  powers,  you  may  break  yourself  down; 
whereas,  with  due  caution,  you  may  last  for  years. 
Cousin  Josephine  has,  by  this  time,  I  presume,  been 
with  you ;  we  had  a  very  delightful  visit  from  her. 
We  have  nothing  new  in  rehgious  matters;  every 
thing  is  icy  cold.  My  own  religion  seems  to  be  al- 
most exhausted  —  has  come  to  the  dregs,  and  is  run- 
ning out.     As  the  petulant  Mr. used  to  say,  '  I 

know  not  what  I  should  do,  if  it  were  not  for  Jonah's 
case ; '  so  all  my  hopes  hang  on  that  passage  — '  I 
have  prayed  for  thee,  that  thy  faith  fail  not.'  Mary 
sends  love.     Yours  affectionately." 

On  the  last  day  of  July  Mr.  T.  wrote  the  follow- 
ing to  the  Committee  of  Arrangements,  for  the  meet- 
ing of  the  American  Board  to  be  held  in  Portland, 
Maine. 

"  Gentlemen  :  —  In  the  New  York  Observer,  of 
the  24th  instant,  I  find  a  request  that  clergymen  ex- 
pecting to  attend  the  meeting  of  the  American 
Board,  to  be  held  in  your  city,  September  next,  would 
give  notice  of  it,  etc. 

"  It  has  been  my  custom  for  years  to  attend  that 
meeting,  when  within  convenient  distance,  if  pastoral 
duties  did  not  interfere.  I  purpose  to  be  with  you, 
the  Lord  willing,  on  the  approaching  occasion,  ac- 
companied by  my  wife,  and  shall  be  grateful  for  that 
hospitality  which  I  have  often  received  in  the  bosom 
of  Christian  families,  and  which  it  is  my  delight  also 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  487 

to  reciprocate  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  as  occasions 
demand.  I  had  thought  of  writing  to  Dr.  Chicker- 
ing,  (who  was  my  class-mate  at  Andover,)  on  the 
subject;  but  I  was  not  certain  of  his  return  from 
Europe ;  and  besides,  your  proposal  renders  it  un- 
necessary.    Yours,  in  Christian  love." 

The  ensuing  preface  and  translation  of  the  Dies 
Irce^  Mr.  T.  published  this  year,  in  the  August  num- 
ber of  the  Christian  Parlor  Magazine. 

"  The  celebrated  Latin  Hymn,  beginning  with 
Dies  Irce^  is  known  to  all  scholars.  My  object  in 
the  following  version  of  it,  has  been,  in  connection 
with  the  spirit,  to  retain,  as  far  as  possible,  the  exact 
rhythm  of  the  original,  so  that  both  the  one  and  the 
other  could  be  sung  to  the  same  tune.  Of  course, 
like  all  poetry  transferred  from  one  language  into 
another,  it  must  be  regarded  as  an  imitation  rather 
than  a  translation. 

"  It  was  my  primary  intention  also,  to  give  a  criti- 
cal history  of  the  hymn  itself,  and  I  early  began  to 
make  collections  for  this  purpose  ;  but  since  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Williams  has  gone  so  far  into  it,  (though  a  vol- 
ume might  be  written  in  continuance  of  the  same,)  I 
have  concluded  to  omit  it.  It  may  be  simply  re- 
marked, that  it  is  supposed  to  have  been  written  by 
Thomas  de  Celano,  a  Minorite  monk,  and  a  native 
of  Italy,  about  A.  D.  1250.  Many  versions  have 
been  made  of  it  into  almost  all  languages.  Of  those 
in  English,  several  may  be  seen  in  Williams's  work. 
The  last  version  into  English  that  has  met  my  eye, 
and  probably  the  most  successful  one,  preserving, 
like  my  own,  the  double  rhyme,  and  beginning  with 


488  MEMOIR    OF 

*  Day  shall  dawn  tliat  has  no  morn/ 

was  first  published  in  the  Newark  Advertiser,  and  is 
said  to  have  been  made  by  Dr.  Abraham  Coles,  of 
that  city.  My  own  version,  here  published,  was 
made  several  years  since,  and  before  I  had  seen  any 
rendering  of  it  into  English  verse,  preserving  the  ex- 
act features  of  the  original.  In  the  first  stanza,  I 
have  preferred  to  drop  the  heathen  idea  that  the  Sy- 
bils were  capable  of  truly  prophesying.  Those  who 
wish  to  retain  it,  may  read  the  second  line, 

*  Sybils  sung,  and  David's  lyre/ 

"  There  are  various  readings  of  parts  of  the 
hymn,  of  which  no  notice  is  taken ;  one,  of  the  first 
stanza,  dropping  the  idea  respecting  the  Sybils,  and 
introducing  that  of  the  standard  of  the  cross  waving 
in  triumph  over  the  world,  as  the  Saviour  comes  to 
judgment.  This  last  may  be  expressed  with  a  toler- 
able degree  of  exactness,  thus,  — 

*  Lo  the  day,  that  day  of  ire 
Burning  with  devouring  fire. 
Waves  the  banner  of  Messiah/ 

"  The  closing  stanza  of  the  hymn,  as  will  be  seen, 
is  peculiar.  In  the  original,  the  two  closing  lines  are 
made  to  contain  a  prayer  for  the  dead,  thus :  — 

*  Pie  Jesu  Domine, 
Dona  eis  requiem.' 

"  I  have  so  far  varied  from  it  as  to  have  nothing 
shocking  to  the  feelings  of  a  Protestant  Christian. 
Indeed,  this  is  the  only  place  in  which  there  comes 
out  any  thing  peculiar  to  the  Roman  form  of  Chris- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  489 

tianity.  All  the  rest  of  the  hymn  is  of  the  purest 
doctrinal  character,  and  has  faith  in  Christ  for  its 
fundamental  principle;  thus  showing  that  even  in 
the  dark  ages  there  were  those  who  had  the  light  of 
life  in  great,  if  not  in  perfect  purity.  Those  who 
wish  to  enter  more  at  large  into  the  subject  of  this 
hymn,  may  consult  '  Anthologie  christlicher  Gesange 
aus  der  alten  und  mittlern  Zeit,  von  August  Jacob 
Rambach,  3  Bds.  Altonae  in  Leipzig,  1817,'  vol.  I., 
p.  32  seq. ;  and  especially  Dr.  William  R.  Williams's 
Misc.,  2d  ed.,  N.  Y.,  1850,  p.  78." 

[Translation,  j 

"  Lo  the  day !  that  clay  of  ire, 
Sung  by  Zion's  hallowed  lyre. 
Burning  with  devouring  fire ! 

"  O,  the  terrors  vast  arising, 
Of  the  Judge  all  scrutinizing. 
On  a  cloud  the  world  surprising. 

"  Hear  the  trumpet  loudly  swelling. 
Through  earth's  dark  sepulchral  dwelling, 
Man  before  the  throne  compelling. 

"  Death  aghast,  and  wide  creation, 
See  the  dead  of  every  nation. 
Else  in  Judgment  expectation. 

"Forth  is  brought  the  Book  of  Ages, 
Flashing  dircly  with  presages, 
All  things  blazoned  on  its  pages  ! 

"  Jesus  on  his  throne  of  wonder ! 
Every  veil  is  rent  asunder. 
Round  him  rolling  vengeful  thunder. 

"  Ah,  me  !  —  shrink  those,  righteous  being ! 
Heaven  and  earth  pi-epare  for  fleeing  !  — 
Can  I  bear  the  eye  all-seeing  ! 


490  MEMOIR    OF 

"  Yet,  enthroned  in  sapphire-blazes, 
Awful  King,  thy  grace  amazes,; — 
Save  me  for  its  endless  praises  ! 

"  By  thee  once  in  death  extended, 
Was  a  ruined  world  befriended  ! 
On  thee  hang  my  hopes  suspended. 

"  For  me  thou  didst  bless  the  manger. 
Bear  the  cross  and  brave  its  danger ; 
O,  remember  still  the  stranger ! 

"Let  compassion,  kindly  yearning, 
The  demands  of  justice  spurning. 
Blot  the  leaves  against  me  burning ! 

"  Hear  the  plea  thy  suppliant  urges, 
Trembling  on  destruction's  verges  — 
'Neath  him  rolling  fiery  surges. 

"Must  I  from  thy  face  be  driven, 
When  vile  Mary  was  forgiven. 
And  the  thief  assured  of  Heaven  ? 

"  Justly  may  thy  vengeance  lower ; 
Yet  in  mercy  show  thy  power  — 
Let  not  endless  flames  devour ! 

"In  the  last  adjudication, 
Grant  my  guilty  soul  a  station 
With  the  children  of  salvation. 

"  From  thy  joys  celestial  never, 
With  the  vile  my  spirit  sever. 
In  thy  wrath  to  burn  forever. 

"  Joined  with  myriads  now  before  thee, 
Would  thy  guilty  worm  adore  thee  — 
Hear  his  trembling  voice  implore  thee  ! 

"Day  of  grief  and  woe  surprising. 
When  to  judgment  all  are  rising. 
Then,  — ^  in  mercy  veiled,  each  feature,  - 
Spare,  O  spare,  the  guilty  creature ; 


KEV.    OLIVER   A.    TAYLOR.  491 

With  thee,  Lord  and  Saviour  blest ! 
Let  him  find  eternal  rest. 

Journal.  "  Aug.  3.  —  A  pleasant  Sabbath,  except 
a  want  of  sufficiently  deep  interest  at  the  monthly 
concert.  5.  —  On  the  whole  had  a  delightful  church 
meeting.  When  some  unpleasant  feelings  began  to 
arise  in  individuals  present,  I  made  a  few  soothing 
remarks,  intimating  that  all  we  need  is  a  clearer  view 
of  eternal  realities."  By  exchange,  he  preached  Aug. 
10,  at  Lynnfield.  While  on  his  way  thither,  the  day 
previous,  he  was  overtaken  by  a  shower,  and  being 
under  the  necessity  of  walking  some  distance  in  the 
rain,  without  an  overcoat  or  umbrella,  he  proba- 
bly caught  a  cold,  which  was  the  exciting  cause  of 
his  subsequent  disease.  He  performed  the  duties  of 
the  Sabbath,  and  went  home  on  Monday,  having,  on 
his  way  through  Salem,  along,  and  to  himself  deeply 
interesting  interview,  with  Rev.  Mr.  Sessions,  who 
had  just  returned  from  a  visit  to  Palestine.  While 
in  S.  he  was  deeply  affected  with  the  news  from 
Boston  of  the  death  of  Rev.  W.  M.  Rogers.  On 
Tuesday  evening  he  attended  the  weekly  prayer- 
meeting  in  his  own  parish,  and  several  who  were 
present,  went  from  it  remarking  upon  the  unusual 
earnestness  of  his  petitions  in  prayer,  and  especially 
on  some  expressions  used  by  him  while  pleading  for 
chastisements,  even  if  necessary,  to  the  attainment  of 
a  more  elevated  Christian  walk.  His  mind  was  un- 
usually weighed  down  with  a  sense  of  his  own  defi- 
ciencies, also  of  those  of  the  church  in  general.  He 
saw  the  urgent  need  of  better  Christians,  to  perform 
the  great  work  of  the  world's  conversion  to  Christ. 


492  MEMOIR    OF 

When,  two  days  after,  he  found  himself  seriously- 
sick  in  the  hands  of  a  physician,  he  felt  that  God 
was  answering  his  prayer,  having  undertaken  with 
him  the  work  of  necessary  discipline.  This  impres- 
sion remained  during  all  his  subsequent  sickness,  for 
the  most  part  furnishing  his  mind  with  a  confident 
expectation  that  he  should  ultimately  recover,  and  be 
permitted  again  to  preach  the  gospel.  On  the  18th, 
by  the  hand  of  his  wife,  he  made  a  record  in  his  jour- 
nal ;  spoke  of  himself  as  having  reached  the  fiftieth 
anniversary  of  his  birthday,  and  as  lying  on  a  sick 
bed. 

"  Sept.  1.  —  He  was  unable  to  write  but  by  the  aid 
of  his  wife ;  he  expressed  gratitude  for  the  contin- 
uance of  reason,  while  prostrated  by  disease ;  alluded 
tenderly  and  thankfully  to  the  kindness  of  friends 
who  administered  to  his  necessities ;  and  intimated 
that  he  found  it  inexpressibly  solemn  to  take  a  review 
of  his  past  life,  while  the  judgment-seat  appeared  at 
hand.  Especially  did  he  desire  to  keep  in  mind  the 
terrors  of  the  night  of  August  21st,  when  the  thun- 
ders rolled  in  awful  grandeur  around  him,  and  the 
tornado  swept  with  fearful  destruction  over  some  of 
the  towns  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston.  In  regard  to  his 
own  spiritual  state,  after  alluding  to  great  darkness 
of  mind,  he  added,  that  he  was  not  without  some 
light,  and  that  he  had  inexpressible  desires  that  his 
trials  might  work  out  for  him,  through  Christ,  a 
happy  issue.  Should  his  life  be  spared,  he  thought 
he  should  have  new  things  to  say  of  the  goodness 
and  the  mercy  of  God ;  if  called  soon  to  die,  he 
hoped  to  enjoy  a  more  animating  view  of  the  Sa- 
viour's love  ere  that  event  should  arrive. 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  493 

During  the  first  two  or  three  weeks  of  his  sickness, 
he  was  led  to  scan  closely  the  motives  and  the  con- 
duct of  his  life,  from  his  earliest  recollection.  He 
saw  much  to  condemn  in  himself  before  God.  The 
cloud  of  remembered  sin  was  so  dark  as  for  a  time 
to  shut  out  peace  and  hope  from  his  soul,  and  he  was 
left  to  mourn  over  the  hidings  of  the  divine  counte- 
nance. Often,  as  he  tossed  on  his  sleepless  couch, 
did  he  repeat  these  words  :  — 

*  The  happy  in  Jesus  may  sleep, 

But,  O,  'till  in  me  he  appears, 
Be  thiSTmy  employment  to  weep, 
And  water  my  couch  with  my  tears/ 

Not  long,  however,  did  He^  whose  face  was  so 
earnestly  sought,  deny  its  smiles  to  this  suffering  ser- 
vant. While  he  was  listening  one  day  to  Romans 
V.  1,  2,  3,  the  cloud  dispersed.  The  twelfth  day 
after  his  attack,  the  fever  abated  and  appearances  be- 
came more  favorable.  His  friends  were  encouraged 
for  a  short  time,  but  soon  those  hopeful  appearances 
vanished,  and  the  disease,  which  was  dysentery^  con- 
tinued, though  with  some  variation  of  symptoms. 

September  17  he  was  very  low.  The  next  day  he 
revived  a  little,  and  remarked  to  a  friend,  "  that  he 
was  creeping  back  to  life."  He  spoke  of  the  Presi- 
dent's reception  in  Boston,  adding,  "  how  worthless 
such  pageants  seem  to  me,  and  how  infinitely  mo- 
mentous the  question  relating  to  our  final  reception 
into  heaven."  Soon  afterwards  he  remarked,  "  he 
had  just  enjoyed  a  sweet  visit  from  the  Saviour,  who 
perhaps  came  in  answer  to  the  requests  of  a  praying 
circle  in  Boston,  by  whom  his  case  had  been  remem- 
42 


494  MEMOIR    OF 

bered.  On  the  20th  he  was  able,  for  the  first  time 
after  his  attack,  to  partake  of  food  with  relish.  He 
appeared  very  grateful  for  this  favor  and  remarked, 
"  I  have  prayed  to  God  that  he  would  direct  me  to 
something  I  could  eat,  and  he  seems  to  have  heard 
my  prayer." 

Under  the  last  named  date,  he  was  visited  by  his 
eldest  brother,  who  supplied  his  pulpit  on  the  follow- 
ing day.  They  had  met  once  before  during  this  sick- 
ness. It  was  his  brother's  purpose  to  leave  for  home 
early  Monday  morning;  but  on  entering  the  sick 
room  to  take  leave,  he  found  that  the  encouraging 
prospects  of  the  two  preceding  days  had  been 
clouded  during  the  last  night ;  that  the  sufferer  had 
slept  but  very  little,  and  that  the  disorder  had  evidently 
increased.  Mr.  T.  said  to  him,  you  must  not  leave  me 
to-day.  Accordingly  he  remained.  The  next  morn- 
ing, when  his  brother  offered  him  his  parting  hand, 
he  clasped  it  with  both  his  own,  and  could  not  con- 
sent to  a  separation  until  informed  that  duty  de- 
manded it ;  when  he  said,  then  you  must  go.  Still 
holding  that  hand,  he  exclaimed,  "  my  brother,  my 
dear  brother,  my  eldest  brother,  you  have  carried  me 
directly  to  the  Saviour.  O,  you  have  helped  me  so 
much  I  It  has  been  a  great  comfort  to  me  to  have 
you  with  me."  Still  retaining  his  brother's  hand,  he 
offered  a  brief,  but  most  touching  prayer  in  behalf  of 
his  brother,  asking  the  Lord  to  be  with  him,  placing 
underneath  him  the  everlasting  arms.  During  this 
scene,  the  tears  gushed  from  his  closed  eyes,  as  he 
lay  upon  his  pillow.  He  was  almost  overcome  with 
emotion,  and  concluded  his  petitions  with  a  solemn 
amen. 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  495 

In  the  afternoon  of  September  23,  Mr.  T.  said  to 
his  wife,  that  he  felt  very  calm  and  peaceful ;  that  he 
should  like  to  recover'  to  glorify  God  in  preaching 
the  gospel ;  but  added,  "  whether  I  live  or  die,  I  have 
a  sweet  assurance  that  I  am  the  Lord's ;  his  sustain- 
ing arms  are  round  about  me." 

During  the  visit  just  named,  Mr.  T.'s  brother 
secured  a  promise  of  very  frequent  communications 
from  Manchester  in  relation  to  the  sick  one.  Ex- 
tracts from  those  communications  will  be  interspersed 
through  the  remaining  portion  of  the  narrative. 

"  Sept.  24.  —  We  fear  that  the  disorder  has  as- 
sumed a  chronic  form  and  cannot  be  subdued  by 
medicines.  25.  —  Our  hopes  revive  that  his  valuable 
life  may  be  spared.  26.  —  He  says  himself  that  he 
now  feels  more  like  returning  to  health,  than  he  has 
at  any  time  since  he  was  taken  sick.  P.  M.  —  Your 
brother  has  continued  comfortable  through  the  day, 
and  is  certainly  gaining  strength  ;  his  voice  is  natu- 
ral, and  he  has  seemed  brighter  than  for  some  time." 
On  Sabbath  28th,  he  had  the  family  called  into  his 
room,  and  then  he  offered  a  short  prayer  with  them. 
"  29.  —  We  cannot  but  feel  encouraged  more  and 
more  in  regard' to  your  dear  brother.  He  is  decidedly 
better  in  some  respects,  and  we  hope  the  worst  symp- 
tom is  gradually  disappearing.  His  appetite  is  im- 
proving, and  he  has  been  raised  nearer  to  a  sitting 
posture  than  he  had  been  before,  and  reclined  thus 
for  some  time,  seeming  to  enjoy  this  position  very 
much.  He  looks  natural  and  appears  in  other  re- 
spects like  himself,  though  much  emaciated. 

"  Oct.  1.  —  Since  Monday  morning  there  has  been 
a  gradual  but  perceptible  and  decided  improvement 


496  MEMOIR    OF 

in  your  brother's  case.  2.  —  I  am  sorry  to  tell  you 
that  your  brother  was  not  so  comfortable  yesterday 
as  the  day  before.  His  countenance  has  changed 
and  does  not  look  so  much  like  returning  health  as  it 
did  a  few  days  since ;  still,  he  is  bright  and  his  hope 
is  strong  that  he  shall  yet  preach  the  gospel.  He 
feels  that  the  Saviour  is  on  his  side  and  that  he  is 
inexpressibly  precious.  The  burden  of  his  prayer  is, 
that  the  church  may  be  revived  and  sanctified,  and 
that  the  thoughtless  all  around  us,  especially  the 
young,  1/oung'  men  may  be  brought  to  repentance. 
3.  —  About  two  hours  in  the  night,  he  was  very 
nervous  —  sprang  up  in  bed  saying,  how  strong 
and  well  he  felt.  He  became  calm,  however,  and 
rested  the  remainder  of  the  night.  His  mind  is  so 
intensely  active,  that  it  seems  impossible  for  him  to 
rest  sufficiently  to  recover  health  and  strength." 
^  His  wife  going  into  his  room  one  morning  about 
this  time,  she  remarked  to  him,  he  was  so  still  she 
thought  him  asleep,  and  feared  to  disturb  him  by 
coming  in  sooner.  He  replied,  "  it  will  be  stiller  soon, 
I  fear,  —  I  am  very  feeble."  He  then  breathed  out 
this  expressive  petition :  "  In  life,  in  death,  in  time, 
and  in  eternity,  O,  my  Saviour,  I,  thy  redeemed 
child,  thy  covenant  disciple,  as  I  would  hope,  look  to 
thee."  Soon  after,  addressing  his  wife,  he  said,  "  I 
hope  we  shall  yet  live  many  years  to  do  good  and 
glorify  God;  but  I  have  a  sweet  assurance  that 
I  am  his,  and  that  a  place  is  prepared  for  me  in 
heaven  — 

'  Some  humble  place,  beneath  my  Lord,  the  Lamb.' 

This  is  a  long  way  around  which  I  have  to  travel. 


REV.    OLIVER   A.    TAYLOR.  497 

It  may  lead  to  the  land  of  Goshen,  and  it  may  end 
in  Hebron."  He  asked  to  have  a  passage  read  to 
him  from  Pilgrim's  Progress,  about  the  chamber  of 
Peace.  On  hearing  the  last  part  of  Isaiah  xxxii.  17 
read,  "  the  effect  of  righteousness,  quietness,  and 
assurance  forever,"  he  said,  "  it  was  a  passage  he  had 
tried  to  recall.  Righteousness,"  he  added,  "  such  as 
angels  possess,  but  chiefly  the  righteousness  of 
Christ."  It  was  also  near  the  time  of  the  last  date, 
that  expressing  doubts  of  his  recovery  he  remarked, 
"  The  Saviour  is  very  near  me  and  precious.  I  can 
hardly  trust  myself  to  dwell  upon  his  name;  it  so 
overpowers  me.  I  seem  almost  to  hear  the  rustling 
of  those  angels'  wings  which  are  to  bear  me  away. 
I  can  leave  wife,  and  friends,  and  flock,  and  go,  if 
such  be  the  will  of  the  Lord." 

Under  date  of  October  4,  the  correspondent  says : 
"  I  regret  to  inform  you  that  your  dear  brother  had  a 
very  sick  day  yesterday.  While  suffering  in  body 
he  seemed  also  to  endure  great  mental  distress.  It 
was  agonizing  to  him  for  a  time,  and  his  pleadings 
with  the  Saviour  for  divine  aid  in  the  awful  struggle 
were  intensely  earnest  and  affecting.  It  was  not 
long,  however,  before  he  felt  that  his  petitions  were 
answered.  In  the  evening  he  offered  a  short  prayer 
audibly,  asking  God's  protection  for  them  all  and 
committing  himself  unreservedly  into  the  hands  of 
the  Redeemer.     He  also  repeated  two  lines, 

'  Jesus,  I  throw  my  arms  around/  etc., 

adding,  and  is  there  not  a  smile  on  his  face  for  me  ? 
I  feel  there  is ;  I  will  lean  upon  thine  arm ;  I  will 
leaye  myself  entirely  with  thee.     In  the  morning  he 
42* 


498  MEMOIR    OP 

remarked  to  his  wife,  that  he  had  a  terrible  day  yes- 
terday. It  is  not  possible,  said  he,  that  I  can  go 
through  with  many  such.  We  must  prepare  now 
for  my  sudden  departure.  Yet  in  a  moment  after, 
he  dropped  a  remark,  showing  that  he  did  not  con- 
sider his  recovery  impossible.  He  said  he  desired 
that  the  will  of  God  should  be  done."  On  the  6th 
his  prospects  for  returning  health  brightened.  In  the 
evening,  he  was  placed  in  an  easy  chair,  where  he 
sat  some  time,  enjoying  the  change  of  position. 
Being  laid  again  upon  his  bed  he  requested  his  wife 
to  sing, 

"  Thus  far  the  Lord  has  led  me  on,"  etc. 

when  he  fell  asleep,  and  had  a  comfortable  night. 
The  next  day  his  brother  from  Wenham  came  to 
see  him,  and  the  interview  was  exceedingly  refresh- 
ing to  him.  His  brother  read  to  him  the  71st  Psalm, 
and  as  the  reading  proceeded,  tears  rolled  down  his 
cheeks,  while  with  inexpressible  delight,  he  drank  in 
the  precious  truth.  His  attention  was  particularly 
arrested  by  the  twentieth  verse.  As  that  brother 
w^as  about  leaving,  Mr.  T.  said  to  him,  "  you  have 
done  me  a  great  deal  of  good ;  you  have  led  me  to 
Jesus." 

For  several  days  following,  he  appeared  gradually 
to  improve.  His  strength  made  perceptible  advances 
from  day  to  day.  On  the  11th  he  requested  the 
family  again  to  be  called  into  his  room,  and  himself 
led  in  devotional  exercises.  One  obstacle  in  the 
way  of  his  restoration  was  thought  to  be,  his  ardent 
desire  to  engage  in  study.  A  few  books  must  be 
brought  from  his  library  into  the  sick  chamber.  ,  He 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  499 

had  requested  that  they  might  be  laid  by  his  side  so 
that  he  could  just  glance  at  them  ;  he  however  con- 
fessed, when  night  came,  that  he  had  used  them 
ruther  too  much.  Being  left  alone  a  few  moments, 
one  evening,  he  made  a  powerful  effort  and  brought 
himself  upon  his  feet.  The  sensation,  he  said,  was 
very  peculiar,  differing  from  any  he  had  ever  before 
experienced. 

Dr.  Woods,  of  Andover,  supplied  his  pulpit  Sab- 
bath, October  12th.  The  venerable  man,  when 
entering  that  sick  room  on  the  eve  of  the  sacred  day, 
was  addressed  as  father  by  Mr.  T.,  who  was  nearly 
overjoyed  to  see  him,  and  poured  out  the  emotions 
of  his  soul  in  an  almost  unbroken  current  of  remark 
for  a  long  time.  Dr.  W.  found  it  impossible  to 
check  him  or  get  away  from  him  till  he  had  spoken 
enough  for  "  three  sermonsJ^ 

To  his  mother,  Oct.  14.  "^  ^h 

"  Dear  Mother  :  —  I  do  not  take  my  pen  in  order 
to  write  you,  but  use  Mary's  hand.  It  is  hard  upon 
nine  weeks  since  I  have  even  taken  myself  from  my 
couch.  But  I  do  set  apart  a  few  moments  for  dic- 
tating a  line  to  you.  I  am  now  sitting  on  the  side 
of  my  bed  wrapped  up  in  blankets,  with  my  feet  in 
a  chair ;  and  am  under  the  influence  of  opiates. 
Nothing  like  my  present  sickness  have  I  ever  before 
experienced.  During  the  last  fortnight,  my  friends 
say  I  have  been  decidedly  convalescent.  Not  yet, 
however,  have  I  been  able  really  to  bear  my  own 
weight.  I  am  looking  forward  with  much  anxiety 
to  the  time  when  I  may  do  it.     It  seems  to  me  that 


500  MEMOIR    OP 

my  heart  would  overflow  with  gratitude  for  the 
privilege. 

"  I  greatly  feared  when  I  bade  you  farewell  at  the 
graveyard  in  Plainfield,  that  I  might  never  see  you 
again.  But  it  was  of  your  advanced  years  and 
slender  health  I  was  thinking,  rather  than  of  my  own 
mortality.  For  several  years  my  strength  has  been 
gradually  declining,  and  I  have  allowed  myself  to 
relax  somewhat  in  regard  to  bathing  and  other  ap- 
pliances, upon  which  it  so  much  depended. 

"  Knowing  how  you  have  felt  on  occasions  of  your 
own  sickness,  I  can  well  imagine  what  questions  you 
would  propose  to  me.  '  How  have  you  found  your- 
self standing  with  Christy'  would  be  one  of  them. 
The  experience  of  God's  children  at  such  times,  is, 
I  believe,  quite  uniform ;  and  it  is  that  which  you 
will  find  particularly  portrayed  in  the  last  chapters 
of  Job,  in  the  51st  Psalm,  and  especially  in  the  6th 
chapter  of  Isaiah.  All  find  God  to  be  holy,  holi/j  as 
they  approach  him.  Their  sins  rise  around  them  to 
a  shuddering  height  except  as  they  behold,  through 
faith,  the  Lord  Jesus.  God  has  taken  me  out  into 
the  gulf-stream  of  death,  and  shown  me  the  flaming 
boundary  —  the  awful  line  which  the  wicked  pass  in 
going  to  their  eternal  doom.  With  horror  have  I 
gazed  upon  it,  and  had  a  conception  which  I  cannot 
express,  of  the  consequences  attendant  upon  unre- 
pented  sin.  Christ  has  again  and  again  been  brought 
up  before  me  as  the  only  refuge  of  the  transgressor.  I 
have  had  hopes,  and  I  have  had  fears  ;  all  the  motives 
of  my  past  life  have  been  arrayed  before  me.  I  have 
found  myself  obliged  to  rest  every  thing  on  Christ, 


KEY.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  501 

on  Christ.  He,  I  think,  has  proved  to  me  a  solid 
foundation.  I  endeavor  to  take  him  as  my  portion  ; 
to  consider  his  will  as  my  only  rule,  and  to  lose  my- 
self in  it. 

"  Let  us  strive,  dear  mother,  daily,  nay  hourly,  to 
surrender  ourselves  wholly  to  him.  Read  Rom.  v. 
'  Being  justified  by  faith,'  etc.,  and  embrace  these 
statements  with  all  your  heart.  My  dear  mother, 
there  is  none  other  name  under  heaven,  but  Christ's, 
whereby  we  can  be  saved.  All  my  hopes  centre  in 
that  name.  The  language  of  my  inmost  heart  in 
this  respect  is, 

'Jesus,  I  throw  mine  arms  around, 
And  hang  upon  thy  breast ; 
Without  a  gracious  smile  from  thee, 
My  spirit  cannot  rest.' 

"  Receive  this  as  a  brief  expression  of  my  views 
during  my  sickness.  My  hope  is,  soon  to  be  able  to 
indulge  myself  more  at  large  on  the  wings  of  thought 
and  feeling.  But  all  else  is  of  little  importance  in 
comparison  with  a  calm  waiting  on  the  divine  will, 
and  a  preparation  to  be  received  at  last  into  the  ever- 
lasting kingdom  of  our  God,  both  which  may  he 
graciously  grant  to  us.     Amen. 

"  From  your  affectionate  son." 

The  letter  below  explains  itself.* 

*New  Haven,  Oct.  23,  1851. 
Rev.  Oliver  A.  Taylor,  Sir  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you 
that  at  a  meeting  of  the  American  Oriental  Society  held  in  this  city 
on  the  22d  instant,  you  were  elected  a  corporate  member.     A  copy  of 
the  Constitution  and  By-Laws  of  tlic  Society  is  annexed. 
I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

Edward  E.  Salisbury,  Corresponding  Secretary. 


502  MEMOIR    OF 

Oct.  24  he  felt  more  like  returning  to  health  than  at 
any  time  before  during  his  sickness.  His  strength  was 
then  increasing  rapidly,  and  with  the  aid  of  two  in- 
dividuals, he  was  able  on  that  day  to  walk  through 
two  small  rooms,  and  look  into  his  study.  His  phy- 
sician and  nurse  both  felt  encouraged  in  regard  to 
his  ultimate  recovery.  About  this  time  his  eldest 
brother  passed  a  night  with  him,  and  though  when 
they  parted  the  sick  one  was  regarded  as  better,  it 
proved  to  be  their  last  interview. 

Dictating  a  note  to  Deacon  Price,  Sabbath  morning, 
October  26th,  concerning  the  appointments  for  the 
ensuing  week,  Mr.  T.  says :  "  Just  before  I  began  to 
dictate  this  to  you,  my  eyes  were  pained  in  behold- 
ing from  my  window,  ten  young  men  or  lads,  appa- 
rently on  their  way  to  the  sea-shore.  When,  O 
when,  my  dear  sir,  will  our  young  men  —  not  to  say 
others- — become  wise  in  regard  to  the  things  that 
relate  to  their  everlasting  peace  ?  '  I  see  them  on 
their  winding  way.'  A  vnnding  way  indeed  it  is, 
and  as  certainly  leading  downward,  as  there  is  a  con- 
science in  man,  a  God  in  heaven,  or  a  future  state  of 
existence.  I  know,  I  know,  nor  have  I  intensity  of 
language  enough  to  express  my  earnestness  and  so- 
lemnity in  regard  to  the  matter,  that  this  Sabbath- 
breaking'  course,  so  freely  indulged  in  by  many 
among  us,  if  continued,  will  lead  to  ruin, /or  eternity. 
It  is  a  sin,  that  has  infolded  in  it  the  germs  of  my- 
riads of  other  sins.  It  will  itself  alone,  sooner  or 
later,  bite  like  a  serpent  and  sting  like  an  adder.  I 
have  been,  as  you  and  also  my  young  friends  of  the 
Sabbath  school,  to  whom  I  wish  you  to  read  this 
note,  are  aware,  more  than  ten  weeks  confined  to  my 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  503 

sick  room ;  and  not  a  small  portion  of  the  early  part 
of  that  time  I  was  called  to  sail  directly  forth  to  a 
full  survey  of  that  terrible  line  which  the  wicked  have 
to  cross,  when  they  bid  farewell  to  hope  forever ;  and 
let  me  tell  you,  my  young  friends,  that  it  is  not 
merely  an  awful  thing  to  be  without  hope  and  with- 
out God  in  this  world,  but  it  will  be  most  inexpressi- 
bly dreadful  to  be  called  to  enter  eternity  without  a 
good  hope.  Most  sincerely  do  I  rejoice  that  so  many 
of  you  hold  out  in  fidelity  to  your  Sabbath  school. 
It  was  an  occasion  of  particular  joy  to  my  heart  to 
learn  that  even  one  of  your  number  has  lately  be- 
come hopefully  interested  in  Christ.  Nor  can  I  but 
believe  that  more  of  you  are  secretly  inquiring  what 
you  shall  do  to  be  saved.  But,  O  my  dear  young 
friends,  be  induced  all  of  you  to  make  more  earnest 
work  in  this  most  important  of  subjects.  My  hope 
is,  that  God  is  restoring  me  to  health,  and  I  fondly 
anticipate  the  time  when  I  shall  be  able  again  to 
make  my  appearance  among  you,  and  raise  to  you 
once  more  my  warning  voice.  In  advance  of  that 
time,  and  from  this  sick  room,  receive  the  solemn  and 
earnest  exhortations  of  one  who  still  rejoices  to  sub- 
scribe himself  your  affectionate  pastor,  and  who 
would  delight  in  nothing  so  much,  as  in  taking  you 
all  by  the  hand  and  leading  you  to  the  Lamb  of  God." 
Oct.  27th  Mr.  T.  was  carried  into  his  study  where 
he  sat  a  little  while.  "  It  was .  affecting  to  me,"  he 
says,  "  to  sit  there  for  the  first  time  since  the  com- 
mencement of  my  long  illness.  Thoughts  of  mercies 
and  of  judgments  crowded  upon  my  mind.  My  hope 
is  that  this  period  of  confinement  will  prove  one  of 


504  MEMOIR    OF 

the  most  important  seasons  to  me,  and  that  God  has 
thereby  been  preparing  me  for  higher  usefuhiess. 
Certainly,  my  study  never  before  appeared  to  me  so 
solenm  a  place."  30.  —  In  his  journal,  by  the  hand 
of  his  wife,  he  says :  "  I  am  very  much  rejoiced  to 
learn  that  the  difficulty  which  has  for  some  time  past 
existed  in  our  choir,  has  been  amicably  adjusted." 
After  having  described  minutely  the  circumstances 
of  the  death  of  a  young  person  in  his  parish,  he 
speaks  thus  of  himself:  "I  am  lingering  along  in 
great  feebleness,  making  progress,  I  hope,  towards  a 
state  of  confirmed  health,  but  very  slowly." 

November  7th  he  wrote  the  following  to  his  bro- 
ther T.,  the  letter  being  partly  penned  by  himself,  and 
partly  by  his  wife  :  "  Through  the  grace  of  God  I  am 
still  convalescent.  My  prospects  now  are,  that  with 
caution,  I  shall  be  restored  again  —  but  O,  what  care 
is  requisite.     I  can  just  move  along  alone. 

"  There  is  one  difficulty  under  which  I  am  labor- 
ing ;  whether  it  be  peculiar  to  me,  or  common  to  our 
race,  I  will  not  now  say,  namely,  the  pressure  of  a 
hard,  ungrateful  heart,  in  view  of  mercies  received. 
I  am  oppressed,  too,  with  a  constant  sense  of  vastly 
inadequate  views  of  the  excellency  of  the  knowledge 
of  Jesus  Christ,  and  of  the  infinite  desirableness  of 
being  swallowed  up  in  his  glory. 

"  There  is  one  thought  most  deeply  impressed  upon 
my  mind  by  the  disease  from  which  I  am  emerging 
—  if  I  am  to  live  and  enjoy  health,  I  must  return  to 
my  original  rules  of  regularity  in  regard  to  the  prepa- 
ration of  sermons ;  they  must  be  completed  as  early 
at  least  as  Saturday  noon.     I  am  certain  that  great 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  505 

sin  is  committed  by  ministers  at  the  present  day,  in 
the  violation  of  physical  laws.  The  Lord  help  us  to 
search  out  and  repent  of  all  sin." 

November  8th  he  wrote  to  the  ministers  of  the  As- 
sociation, to  which  he  belonged,  suggesting  that 
some  plan  be  adopted  by  which  any  sick  brother 
might  be  aided  in  the  supply  of  his  pulpit.  The 
suggestion  was  very  kindly  received,  and  proved  a 
great  relief  to  his  mind.  He  records  the  visits  at  this 
time  of  several  Christian  friends,  and  observes: 
"  Well  did  I  tell  Mr.  H.  yesterday,  that  when  I  prayed 
for  chastisement,  if  it  might  be  necessary  for  my  spir- 
itual good,  I  had  no  more  adequate  idea  that  God 
was  so  near,  than  Jacob  had  when  at  Bethel."  Thi& 
day  his  brother  R.  arrived  from  New  Jersey.  Their 
meeting  was  exceedingly  delightful. 

The  ensuing  was  dictated  November  9th. 

"Dear  Sabbath  School  Teachers  and  Pupils:  — 
I  am  still  confined  to  my  sick  chamber,  —  though 
convalescent,  —  and  am  held  back  by  my  Lord  and 
Master  from  seeing  you  and  addressing  you  in  per- 
son ;  but  need  I  tell  you  that  I  think  of  you  often, 
and  imagine  myself  in  the  midst  of  you,  meeting 
those  little  ones  who  used  so  fondly  to  smile  upon 
me.  And  what  do  you  think  I  have  hoped  du^-ing 
my  sickness,  in  regard  to  you  ?  That  at  least  some 
among  you  have  thought  of  me,  and  prayed  for  me ; 
not  because  I  am  worthy  of  your  prayers,  but  because 
I  have  been  set  to  minister  to  you  in  the  name  of 
Christ  —  have  endeavored  to  lead  you  to  him,  and 
thus  make  you  happy  forever.  I  have,  my  young 
friends,  frequently  endeavored  to  pray  for  i/ou.  1 
43 


506  MEMOIR    OF 

have  felt  that  you  are  like  lambs  in  a  wide  wilder- 
ness, and  exposed  to  ravenous  wolves.  I  have 
bowed  before  God,  saying,  O  Lord,  spare  these 
lambs  of  the  flock ;  preserve  these  young  and  tender 
minds  from  evil ;  suffer  them  not  to  utter  falsehood, 
or  disobey  their  parents,  or  break  the  Sabbath,  or 
take  the  name  of  the  Lord  their  God  in  vain.  O, 
how  I  have  wished  to  take  you  by  the  hand  of  faith 
and  holy  love,  and  lead  you  to  him  who  said,  '  Suf- 
fer the  little  children  to  come  unto  me.'  Since  ] 
have  been  sick,  I  have  many  a  time  thought,  how 
pleasant  it  would  be  to  myself  if  such  among  my 
charge  would  pray  for  me  in  language  something 
like  this :  O  Lord,  our  minister  is  sick,  so  that  he 
cannot  come  and  preach  to  us ;  and  now  we  beseech 
thee  to  be  with  him  and  bless  him,  and  restore  him 
to  health,  if  it  be  consistent  with  thy  will;  but 
whether  he  live  or  die,  may  he  be  wholly  thine.  I 
have  imagined  how  delightful  it  would  be  to  know 
that  I  am  thus  remembered  every  morning  and  eve- 
ning by  the  little  Sabbath  school  children  throughout 
my  flock.  I  am  certain  it  would  do  you  good,  be- 
cause it  would  lead  you  to  think  of  the  Saviour,  who 
has  told  us  thus  to  pray  one  for  another. 

"  But,  my  dear  young  friends,  there  is  a  particular 
event  which  has  led  me  to  dictate  a  few  lines  to  you 
this  morning ;  indeed,  I  should  say  events ;  the  recent 
death  of  two  individuals  who  have  been  most  inti- 
mately connected  with  you,  one  of  them  having  been 
a  pupil,  the  other  a  teacher  in  your  school.  I  desired 
to  notice  these  things  last  Sabbath,  but  the  week 
previous  I  was  so  feeble  as  to  render  it  unsafe  for 
me  to  do  it.     Perhaps  it  is  not  too  late  now  to  speak 


KEY.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  507 

to  you  a  profitable  word.  I  was  rejoiced  to  hear 
that  those  impressive  events  did  affect  you  —  that 
the  departed  ones  were  called  to  mind  last  Sabbath, 
and  that  it  was  a  solemn  day.  Is  it,  my  dear  friends, 
too  much  to  hope  that  some  of  your  hearts  were  then 
so  moved  as  never  again  to  become  insensible  ?  You 
are  sinners  by  nature  and  by  practice  ;  the  wrath  of 
God  will  hang  over  you  until  you  repent ;  you  are 
liable  to  be  cut  down  any  moment  by  it.  In  order 
to  become  truly  and  forever  happy,  you  must  repent 
and  believe  in  Jesus  Christ. 

"  By  these  solemn  scenes  you  are  urged,  dear 
youth,  to  inquire  whether  you  are  prepared  for  death, 
judgment,  and  eternity.  Will  you  allow  this  favor- 
able opportunity  of  seeking  the  Lord  to  slip  out  of 
your  hands  ?  O,  how  much  I  wish  to  say  to  you  on 
this  subject,  in  order,  if  possible,  to  arouse  you  to  at- 
tend to  it.  I  would  lead  you  to  the  grave  and  aid 
you  in  surveying  it ;  and  would  point  you  to  him 
who  will  eventually  be  seen  coming  in  the  clouds  of 
heaven,  to  judge  the  world.  Let  me  assure  you  most 
solemnly  that  the  idea  of  being  happy  without  Christ 
is  a  delusion ;  and  that  you  never  can  be  happy  in 
him,  without  repenting  of  sin,  and  believing  on  his 
glorious  name.  O,  forsake  sin  and  love  him ;  love 
him  because  he  is  supremely  worthy  of  your  love. 
Love  him,  because  he  loved  you  so  as  to  die  for  you. 
Behold  him  standing  at  the  door,  knocking,  and  say- 
ing, '  If  any  man  hear  my  voice  and  open  the  door,  I 
will  come  in  to  him,  and  will  sup  with  him  and  he 
with  me.'  Look  up  to  the  gate  of  heaven  and  see 
the  kind  angels  inviting  you  thither.  Hear  the  voice 
of  one  who  was  lately  a  Sabbath  school  teacher  of 


508  MEMOIR    OF 

some  of  you,  speaking  from  the  world  of  bliss,  and 
saying,  *  Prepare,  dear  children,  to  meet  your  God.' 
These  few  words  of  exhortation,  please  receive  from 
your  feeble  pastor,  whose  prayers  accompany  them 
that  they  may  be  set  home  to  your  hearts  in  everlast- 
ing blessings." 

"  Nov.  10.  —  Brother  R.  preached  yesterday.  Most 
delightful  is  our  intercourse  together.  I  think  he  will 
spend  another  Sabbath  with  me.  My  health  is  not 
as  good  this  morning  as  it  has  been ;  digestive  pow- 
ers are  sluggish  ;  limbs  are  weak,  and  spirits  are  low. 
Have  just  been  told  some  appalling  news,  kept  from 
me  by  my  family  for  weeks,  on  account  of  my  ill- 
ness." One  of  the  items  of  the  news  was,  that  the 
only  son  of  his  cousin,  Mrs.  McFadden,  had  been 
thrown  from  a  horse,  in  Texas,  where  he  was  em- 
ployed in  the  United  States  service,  and  instantly 
killed.  He  had  been  in  the  Mexican  war,  and  just 
escaped  with  his  life  ;  having  been  severely  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Cherubusco.  Speaking  of  this  young 
man's  mother,  Mr.  T.  says :  "  How  the  poor  woman 
has  lived  through  the  event,  bound  up  as  she  was  in 
P.,  I  know  not.  Dear,  precious  woman;  lovely, 
lovely  cousin,  almost  my  own  sister.  How  my  heart 
bleeds  for  her.  I  hope  the  Lord  will  give  me  strength 
to  dictate  a  letter  to  her  to-morrow." 

To  Mrs.  McFadden,  of  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania, 
November  11. 

"  My  dear,  dear  Cousin  :  —  Strange  and  unex- 
pected are  the  allotments  of  Providence  in  regard  to 
us  all.  Since  the  14th  of  August  I  have  been  con- 
fined to  my  chamber  by  a  violent  disease,  which  still 


EEV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  509 

continues  in  a  chronic  form ;  and  though  I  have  left 
my  bed  and  sat  up  more  or  less,  I  am  now  but  just 
able  to  totter  across  the  floor.  I  am  surrounded, 
however,  by  many  palliating  circumstances ;  have  a 
dear  companion,  whose  attention  to  me  day  and 
night  has  been  most  assiduous ;  have  a  people  and 
other  Christian  friends  who  have  borne  me  unceas- 
ingly in  the  arms  of  prayer ;  and  a  covenant  Saviour 
from  whose  love  I  hope  nothing  in  heaven,  earth,  or 
hell,  will  separate  me.  Shall  I  also  revert  to  the 
sweet  attentions,  in  particular,  of  my  own  dear 
brothers  since  I  have  been  sick  ? 

"  And  now,  my  friend,  I  come  to  the  last  sad 
point  to  be  touched  in  my  letter  —  the  death  of  your 
dear  and  only  son.  Would  that  I  had  consolations 
to  impart  to  you ;  but  I  have  none.  You  are  ac- 
quainted already  with  redeeming  love,  and  know 
that  Christ  has  a  voice  which  speaks  peace  to  the 
submissive  soul,  when  all  around  is  tumult.  If  you 
lean  on  Jesus  in  penitence  and  confiding  love,  you 
will  find  in  him  true  consolation.  But  you  can  find 
it  nowhere  else.  I  am  afraid,  my  dear  cousin  —  and 
let  me  say  it  with  all  the  tenderness  of  a  brother  — 
I  am  afraid  P.  was  your  idol^  and  that  it  was  neces- 
sary he  should  be  taken  away  in  order  to  your  own 
better  preparation  for  death.  You  will  now  naturally 
review  all  the  past  of  your  life,  and  will  place  your- 
self, I  trust,  at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  repenting  of  every 
thing  that  may  have  been  wrong  in  you,  and  bowing 
in'  sweet  submission  as  a  child  of  God  to  his  chastis- 
ing Providence.  O,  what  blessings  you  will  find  to 
flow  from  this  event  if  it  draw  you  nearer  to  Christ, 
and  fill  your  heart  wholly  with  himself.  Believe  me, 
43* 


510  MEMOIR    OF 

there  was  a  deep  meaning  in  that  prayer  of  your 
dying  father,  in  which  he  asked  God  to  send  on  his 
children  whatever  afflictions  might  be  needful  to 
wean  them  from  the  world  and  bring  them  home  to 
his  everlasting  kingdom.  Fi'om  the  deahngs  of  the 
Almighty  with  you,  my  cousin,  not  to  say  myself, 
though  I  may  almost  number  myself  among  your 
father's  children,  I  cannot  but  hope  that  the  prayer  is 
receiving  an  answer.  I  might  enlarge,  but  forbear. 
That  you  may  be  enabled  to  make  the  best  improve- 
ment of  your  sore  bereavement,  is  the  earnest  petition 
of  your  deeply  afflicted,  but  sympathizing  cousin." 

Nov.  14.  —  Mr.  T.  again  dictated  a  letter  to  his 
mother,  his  brother  R.  acting  as  amanuensis.  Hav- 
ing spoken  to  her  of  the  precious  visits  from  pious 
friends,  of  his  sickness  he  remarks :  "  O  how  long 
and  tedious  a  scene  it  has  been  to  nature;  but  I 
hope  it  will  prove  profitable  through  grace.  There  is 
much,  dear  mother,  very  much  of  a  spiritual  bearing 
connected  with  my  sickness  and  the  history  of  the 
last  summer  relative  to  myself  which  I  wish  to  say 
to  you.  But  let  me  express  the  whole  in  a  single 
thought.  Eternity  is  swallowing  up  every  thing,  and 
it  will  be  but  a  breath  of  time  before  we  have  all 
passed  into  another  world.  Nay,  as  I  have  often  said 
to  my  own  flock,  it  will  be  but  as  the  twinkhng  of  an 
eye  before  two  or  even  four  hundred  years  shall  have 
rolled  over  the  places  we  now  occupy,  filling  them 
with  other  inhabitants,  and  bringing  us  and  all  the 
worldly  scenes  with  which  we  now  stand  connected 
into  oblivion  forever.  I  remain  your  feeble,  though 
I  hope  convalescent,  and  certainly  affectionate  son." 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  511 

In  his  journal  of  November  16,  he  makes  this 
record  by  the  hand  of  his  wife :  "  My  health  has 
been  constantly  improving  the  week  past.  I  have 
far  more  strength  to  rise  out  of  my  chair,  and  can 
walk  around  the  room  though  I  still  need  some  one 
to  watch  me  lest  I  fall  down.  Am  laboring  under 
great  hardness  of  heart,  but  feel  there  is  in  the 
Saviour  infinite  love.  Fain  would  I  be  lost  in  him, 
O,  that  emerging  from  this  dark  valley  of  chastise- 
ment —  if,  indeed,  it  be  God's  will  that  I  should  thus 
emerge  and  engage  in  his  service  —  I  may  be  as  a 
new  man,  feeling  that  my  time  is  short  at  best ;  that 
eternity  is  just  at  hand ;  and  renewing  the  consecra- 
tion of  myself  to  his  great  and  glorious  service.  My 
wife  has  been  telling  me  this  morning  at  what  time 
it  was  during  my  sickness,  I  was  regarded  as  in  the 
most  critical  state.  It  was  near  the  time  when  my 
brother  Timothy  preached  for  me.  He  considered  my 
case  as  hopeless ;  he  has  since  told  me  so  in  a  letter ; 
and  the  doctor  about  that  time,  after  having  exam- 
ined me,  went  down  and  sat  in  the  dining-room, 
seeming  lost  in  anxious  thought  respecting  my  case. 
Indeed,  the  report  spread  abroad  as  far  as  Gloucester 
that  I  was  dead.  Thus  low  I  was  brought,  and  if  I 
am  raised  up  as  things  now  indicate  I  shall  be,  the 
annals  of  eternity  will  probably  reveal  prayer  as  the 
procuring  cause,  for  most  abundantly  were  prayers 
offered  for  me,  not  only  among  my  own  people,  but 
at  Newburyport,  Wenham,  Slatersville,  and  in  the 
daily  prayer-meeting  at  the  Winter  Street  Church, 
Boston,  not  to  name  other  places,  nor  to  refer  to  a 
kind-hearted  mother  and  to  brothers  and  sisters. 
Yesterday,  I  received  a  most  delightful  letter  from 


512  MEMOIR    OF 

Professor  Stowe."  On  the  18th  he  says :  "  Have 
this  morning  parted  with  my  dear  brother  R.,  whose 
visit  has  been  to  me  comforting  beyond  expression. 
Sweet  in  Christ  is  the  intercourse  of  our  fraternity." 
This  brother  had  remained  in  Manchester  two 
Sabbaths  supplying  the  pulpit  and  performing  much 
parochial  service  in  the  parish.  Not  one  of  Mr.  T.'s 
four  sisters  could  visit  him  during  his  sickness,  and 
his  aged  mother  had  been  for  years  too  feeble  to 
journey.  Besides,  much  of  the  time,  only  those 
were  admitted  to  his  chamber,  whose  services  were 
there  demanded. 

To  Mrs.  Josephine  Maitland,  of  Alleghany,  Penn- 
sylvania, November  18. 

"  My  dear  Cousin  :  —  A  few  days  since  I  dictated 
a  letter  to  your  sister  Martha.  To  that  I  refer  you 
for  particulars  in  reference  to  my  health.  It  is  very 
recently  that  for  the  first  time  I  heard  read  your  let- 
ter of  September  1,  and  now  I  am  not  able  to  an- 
swer it  with  my  own  hand ;  nor  must  you  expect  a 
long  reply.  I  occupy  the  room  which  was  assigned 
to  you  when  with  us.  It  has  been  my  residence  for 
fourteen  weeks.  Here  I  lie  on  my  bed  while  my 
wife  takes  down  my  words.  The  Lord,  I  think,  has 
stood  by  me,  enabling  me  to  bear  the  confinement 
far  better  than  I  could  have  anticipated.  He  has 
provided  for  myself  and  flock  in  most  wonderful  and 
unexpected  ways ;  and  I  hope  to  be  able  to  say, 
through  whatever  dark  valley  he  may  lead  me,  his 
blessed  will  be  done. 

"  Believe  me,  dear  cousin,  it  is  of  infinite  import- 
ance that  this  flesh  be  purified,  and  that  grace  be 


REV.    OLIVER   A.    TAYLOR.  513 

made  to  predominate.  If  we  are  only  armed  with 
faith,  patience,  and  hope  in  the  Lord,  we  shall  find 
every  thing  coming  out  well  eventually.  O,  think  of 
the  brightness  of  glory  directly  to  be  revealed  to 
every  child  of  God !  How  happy  shall  we  be  to  sit 
on  those  heavenly  hills  and  sing  of  victories  achieved 
through  redeeming  grace.  O,  glorious  prospects! 
We  have  but  a  little  distance  to  pass  ere  we  shall 
enjoy  their  reality.  Then,  in  comparison,  of  what 
little  account  shall  we  regard  the  few  -sorrows  and 
pains  experienced  in  their  attainment?  Happy, 
happy  child  of  God !  With  what  most  favored  one 
of  earth  would  he  exchange  his  situation  ? 

"  I  was  inexpressibly  pained,  my  dear  cousin,  to 
hear  of  the  loss  of  your  trunks,  and  cannot  but  hope 
you  have  already  recovered  them.  Please  hasten  to 
let  me  know  how  it  is,  as  soon  as  possible  after  the 
receipt  of  this.  I  suppose,  of  course,  my  daguerreo- 
type was  lost;  the  mate  of  it  I  presume  you  left 
with  my  mother  as  I  requested  you,  though  she  has 
forgotten  to  mention  it.  I  rejoice  at  the  opening 
favorable  prospects  of  your  daughter  in  regard  to 
teaching.  Should  my  health  be  restored  I  shall  love 
to  visit  you  and  my  Pittsburg  friends  at  some  salu- 
brious season  of  the  year,  that  I  may  become  more 
intimately  acquainted  with  those  various  interesting 
characters,  of  whom  you  have  such  numbers  around 
you.  Please  remember  me  most  cordially  to  Mr. 
Walker,  Dr.  McGill,  and  Dr.  Gale,  also  to  Dr.  Swift, 
from  whom  I  received  such  kind  attentions ;  likewise 
to  our  dear  friends  across  the  river.  God  bless  you 
and  your  children,  granting  you  abundantly  of  his 
grace  here,  and  preserving  you   to   his   everlasting 


514  MEMOIR    OF 

kingdom.     So  prays  your  afflicted  but  affectionate 
cousin.     My  wife  unites  with  me,  etc." 

Under  date  of  November  20  he  mentions  receiving 
the  present  of  an  elegant,  gilded  coffee  cup,  most 
delicately  conferred  by  Miss  L. 

As  to  health  he  says,  "I  do  not  seem  to  make 
much  progress.  In  diet  have  given  up  for  the  pres- 
ent even  the  delicate  veal,  sweet  bread  which  Mr.  A. 
has  sent,  and  also  the  last  relic  of  cream ;  so  that  my 
nutriment  is  almost  wholly  farinaceous  —  bread  and 
a  little  butter,  black  tea,  shells,  and  sago,  but  all  of  it 
most  temperately  and  cautiously  used.  Still,  since 
yesterday  morning,  I  have  suffered  much  dyspeptic 
agony.  By  the  aid  of  anodynes  my  sleep  may  be 
said  to  be  sound.  Yet  I  have  gained  no  strength 
for  the  \veek  past,  and  know  not  what  the  Lord  has 
in  store  for  me.  It  does  seem  to  me,  however,  that 
in  the  course  of  two  or  three  days  the  Saviour  %as 
been  drawing  nearer  to  me.  I  hope  I  am  more  and 
more  resigned  to  suffer  or  to  do  his  will.  If  a  real 
child  of  God,  I  may  be  certain  that  in  proportion  as 
he  deprives  me  of  temporal  blessings  he  will  confer 
on  me  spiritual  ones,  leading  me  to  that  river,  the 
streams  whereof  make  glad  the  city  of  God."  He 
then  expresses  the  desire  that  whatever  there  may  be 
in  reserve  for  him  in  this  world,  that  he  shall  not  fail 
to  rejoice  in  consideration  of  the  hope  of  eternal 
glory. 

Journal.  "  Nov.  27.  —  Thanksgiving  in  this  and 
twenty  other  States,  to-day.  In  many  respects  to 
W5,  as  a  family,  it  is  a  solemn  day.     I  am  still  con- 


REV.     OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  515 

fined  by  sickness,  though  am  thought  to  be  recover- 
ing. As  I  partook  of  my  frugal  and  prescribed 
meal,  my  wife,  intimating  that  she  preferred  a  morsel 
at  my  side  to  a  feast  elsewhere,  brought  her  plate 
and  dined  in  my  room.  Then  the  scenes  of  my 
sickness  came  over  me  in  all  their  force,  and  I  burst 
into  tears.  Yet  numerous  are  our  reasons  for  grati- 
tude. God  has,  in  various  ways,  all  along  shown 
himself  our  friend.  Most  providentially  has  my  pul- 
pit been  supplied,  chiefly  without  expense.  1  knew 
that  should  I  have  no  Thanksgiving  public  exercises, 
niany  would  be  dissatisfied.  Accordingly  I  exerted 
myself  to  procure  a  preacher,  but  in  vain,  and  gave 
out  notice  that  there  would  be  no  services  in  the 
sanctuary.  It  turned  out  as  I  anticipated ;  people 
began  to  complain,  even  Christians.  Brother  Gale, 
however,  came  along  on  Monday  and  volunteered 
his  aid,  and  thus  was  I  delivered  from  this  trouble." 
Mr.  T.  also  notices  marked  kindnesses  from  vari- 
ous friends,  but  especially  from  Mr.  C.  F.  Adams,  of 
Boston,  whose  summer  residence  is  on  the  sea-shore 
in  Manchester.  He  adds :  "  May  I  not  hope  that 
we  —  my  wife  and  myself — by  means  of  this  sick-' 
ness  have  been  spiritually  quickened  and  have 
learned  to  live  nearer  to  God  than  ever  before ; 
drawing  all  our  happiness  from  him ;  resting  solely 
and  joyfully  on  the  bosom  of  Jesus.  If  so,  we  have 
causes  enough  for  thanksgiving.     AmenP 

Nov.  30,  Mr.  T.  dictated  the  following. 

"  Dear  Sabbath  School  :  —  Allow  your  pastor 
once  more  to  address  you  in  a  few  words.  He  will 
endeavor  not  to  be  tedious,  and  he  hopes  you  will 


516  MEMOIR    OF 

lend  a  listening  ear.  The  prophet  Jeremiah  has  a 
passage  of  Scripture,  (viii.  20,)  which  is  especially 
adapted  to  our  consideration  on  this  occasion  :  '  The 
harvest  is  past,  the  summer  is  ended,  and  we  are  not 
saved.'  For  every  thing  there  is  a  time  and  a  sea- 
son ;  a  spring,  a  summer,  and  an  autumn,  or  harvest. 
The  seed  must  be  sown,  the  germ  must  be  put  forth, 
the  blade  be  formed,  the  corn  make  its  appearance, 
and  come  to  autumnal  maturity.  We  have  seen 
again,  in  the  natural  world,  each  of  the  seasons  pass 
away.  The  snow  has  melted  around  us ;  the  ice  of 
rivers  and  brooks  and  the  ocean  has  broken  up ;  the 
trees  have  budded ;  flowers  and/ruits  appeared ;  and 
we  were  all  gladdened  by  the  return  of  the  birds 
again  to  us  from  their  winter  retreats.  We  have 
seen  the  summer  clouds  arise  from  time  to  time,  and 
heard  their  thunder  roll  and  break  over  our  heads ; 
we  have  watched  the  progress  of  the  fruits  from  one 
degree  of  ripeness  to  another,  till  we  have  been  per- 
mitted to  regale  ourselves  with  the  gathered  products 
of  the  earth.  We  see  collected  around  us  on  every 
side  the  bounties  of  Providence ;  and  we,  as  also 
the  people  of  this  nation,  throughout  the  length  and 
breadth  of  the  land  have  been  allowed  to  meet  on 
the  occasion  of  our  Thanksgiving  festival,  with  our 
friends,  and  to  praise  God  for  these  gifts  of  his 
goodness. 

"  The  seasons  of  another  year,  in  the  natural 
world,  have  now  all  passed  away ;  this  is  the  last 
day  of  autumn.  Its  sun  will  never  shine  upon  us 
again.  All  that  we  can  now  do  in  this  respect,  is  to 
say  with  the  prophet,  '  The  harvest  is  past,  the  sum- 
mer is  ended.'     Spiritual  concerns  have  also  their 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  517 

times  and  seasons :  a  spring  time,  when  seed  may  be 
sown ;  a  summer,  in  which  it  may  grow ;  and  an 
autumn,  in  which  it  may  come  to  maturity.  Indeed, 
such  must  we  regard  ^'the  seasons  just  closing,  as 
they  have  flitted  by  us,  in  reference  to  ourselves. 
They  were  not  given  for  the  mere  purpose  of  life's 
temporal  business  ;  cultivating  the  earth  — -  amassing 
wealth,  and  pursuing  earthly  pleasures,  —  but  for 
spiritual  purposes,  seeking  an  interest  in  Christ,  and 
preparing  for  that  nobler  state  of  existence  which  is 
just  at  hand  to  all  the  people  of  God.  And  how 
have  you  improved  these  opportunities,  now  past, 
my  dear  friends  ?  Have  you  attended  to  this  great 
subject  as  the  seasons  have  been  gliding  along  ?  To 
multitudes  of  those  who  began  the  year  with  as  fair 
hopes  as  yourselves,  it  would  be  useless  for  me  to 
address  this  question,  for  their  ears  are  sealed  up  in 
death.  You,  who  are  still  living,  I  may  ask  —  for 
you  can  yet  hear  me  —  this  solemn  question ;  and 
pray  listen  —  this  last  day  of  autumn,  before  its  sun 
has  forever  set :  How  have  you  improved  the  sea- 
sons the  past  year,  in  relation  to  the  salvation  of  your 
immortal  souls  ?  If  they  have  not  been  employed 
in  securing  eternal  life,  they  must  be  set  down  as 
worse  than  lost.  Not  a  few  of  you  certainly,  had 
not  been  '  saved '  when  the  spring  opened  upon  you. 
You  knew  nothing  of  Christ  by  happy  experience ; 
you  had  not  even  been  brought  to  see  your  need  of 
him.  Have  you  now  tasted  the  joys  of  redeeming 
love  ?  Can  you  now  say  that  your  sins  are  forgiven  ? 
Have  you  wept  at  the  Saviour's  feet  in  view  of  his 
pardoning  mercy?  Were  this  last  sun  of  autumn 
now  shining  upon  your  graves,  where  would  your 
44 


518  MEMOIR    OF 

spirits  be  found  ?  With  Jesus  in  paradise,  singing 
praises  to  his  name,  or  in  the  regions  of  the  lost? 
Ask  yourselves  this  question  in  seriousness,  and  let 
it  press  upon  your  consciences  with  deep  solemnity. 
"  Sabbath  school  Teachers :  —  The  harvest  is  past, 
the  summer  is  ended,  and  not  a  few  of  those  pupils, 
with  whom  you  have  been  associated  from  Sabbath 
to  Sabbath,  are  certainly  not  yet  saved;  and  is  the 
fault  yours  or  theirs  ?  Have  you  been  so  faithful  in 
dealing  with  them  for  eternity,  that  were  the  Shep- 
herd to  call  you  to  account  in  reference  to  them,  you 
could  stand  before  him  with  a  clear  conscience? 
Have  you  felt,  and  wept,  and  prayed  for  them  as  you 
should  ?  And  with  what  desires  do  you  hope  to 
enter  upon  the  new  season  which  may  be  allotted 
you  for  the  prosecution  of  this  glorious  work  ?  How 
cheering  to  behold  the  husbandman  "returning  in 
autumn,  bringing  his  sheaves  with  him !  But  more 
so  will  it  be  to  see  the  Sabbath  school  teacher  pre- 
senting himself  before  the  Saviour  above,  in  com- 
pany with  those  whom  he  has  been  instrumental  of 
leading  thither?  May  this,  my  friends,  be  your 
happy  portion ! " 

Early  in  December,  Mr.  T.  complained  of  soreness 
on  the  lungs,  with  feverish  symptoms,  not  at  once 
clearly  developed,  but  soon  indicating  an  attack  of 
influenza,  or  lung  fever.  One  day  he  fainted,  and  it 
seemed  for  awhile  that  his  life  was  extinct. 

Journal.  "  Dec.  5.  —  It  is  said  that  I  am  recover- 
ing^ but  I  am  a  great  sufferer ;  feel  bloated,  languid, 
and  heavy.     Can   move   around   but  little.     I  am 


KEV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  519 

greatly  troubled  with  a  stricture  in  the  region  of  the 
heart,  which  may  be  the  beginning  of  a  mortal  dis- 
ease, or  it  may  be  a  feeling  sympathetic  with  my 
present  complaints.  I  know  I  deserve  to  be  cut  off 
from  God's  vineyard,  and  never  permitted  to  enter 
it  again ;  in  the  mean  time,  it  is  for  me  submissively 
and  cheerfully  to  abide  the  will  of  my  heavenly  Fa- 
ther. The  Saviour  has  seemed  nearer  to  me  than 
usual  of  late. 

"  There  are  some  literary  projects,  which  I  should 
love  to  carry  out,  if  it  be  God's  pleasure ;  but  I  can, 
I  think,  give  them  up  freely  and  forever  at  his  word. 
It  would  try  me  the  most  to  be  shut  out  /rom  his 
vineyard;  but  even  to  this  I  can,  through  divine 
grace,  submit. 

"  Had  a  pleasant  interview  yesterday  with  Mr.  H. 
S.,  who  had  returned  the  day  before  from  California  ; 
a  monument  of  God's  mercy,  with  tales  of  woe 
almost  unutterable. 

"  A  sweet  communication  from  brother  Sessions 
—  so  that  my  pulpit  can  now  be  supplied  until  Jan- 
uary, second  Sabbath.  Received  also  refreshing  letters 
from  brother  E.  L.  Cleaveland,  and  brother  Rufus." 
Dec.  12.  —  Under  this  date  he  wrote  in  his  journal 
with  his  own  hand.  The  last  entrance  he  had  pre- 
viously made  in  this  way,  was  on  the  12th  of  Au- 
gust. "Monday,"  he  says,  "was  an  awful  day  of 
fainting,  and  of  exhaustion ;  my  wife,  my  nurse,  and 
good  Mrs.  C.  spending  the  whole  day  in  endeavor- 
ing to  restore  me.  I  find  breathing  laborious,  and 
am  greatly  bloated.  Mr.  Huntington  and  wife  from 
Salem,  have  called  to  see  me.  During  two  days 
past,  and  to-day  the  Saviour  has  drawn  very  near. 


520  MEMOIR    OP 

Enjoyed  this  week  a  comforting  visit  from  brother 
Jeremiah.  I  have  been  able  so  to  arrange  my 
worldly  concerns,  that  I  can  leave  them  without 
anxiety.  As  to  redeeming  love,  it  never,  never, 
never,  I  believe,  seemed  more  precious  to  me  than 
to-day.  Precious,  precious,  precious!"  Saturday, 
Dec.  13,  he  writes  by  his  wife,  "  Yesterday,  unex- 
pectedly, came  up  a  new  disappointment.     Rev.  Mr. 

wTote  me  he  must  fail  to  supply  my  pulpit  the 

third  Sabbath  of  this  month,  as  arranged  by  the  As- 
sociation. Confident  there  was  some  mistake  in  re- 
gard to  the  matter,  T  wrote  to  brother  J.,  and  left  it 
with  hirn  —  but  it  greatly  agitated  me.  I  had  to 
write  three  letters  in  relation  to  the  subject.  To-day 
the  discovery  was  made  that  our  cistern  is  destitute 
of  water,  because  of  a  leak  in  it.  This  was  a  sad 
development,  as  we  supposed  we  had  a  full  supply 
of  water  on  hand  for  the  winter.  After  great  effort, 
V/e  came  to  a  happy  termination  of  this  perplexity ; 
though  at  the  cost  of  patience,  labor,  and  money. 
The  day  began  in  the  enjoyment  of  redeeming  love ; 
I  hope  it  will  end  thus." 

The  following  memoranda  were  made  by  his  wife, 
Sabbath,  December  14th :  "  For  several  days  Mr.  T. 
has  enjoyed  a  sweet  sense  of  the  Saviour's  presence ; 
at  times,  he  thinks,  such  as  he  never  before  felt.  Last 
Sabbath,  when  he  began  to  be  much  more  ill,  he 
was  engaged  most  of  the  day  in  earnest  supplication 
that  the  cup  of  suffering  might  pass  from  him,  or 
grace  be  given  him  to  drink  it  with  due  submission. 
All  the  remainder  of  the  week  he  could  speak  of 
sweet  peace  in  Christ.     He  requested  me  to  look  up 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  521 

his  sermon  on  the  text,  '  That  in  me  ye  might  have 
peace.'  He  wished  to  see  if  he  had  treated  the  sub- 
ject as  he  would  now  do.  He  thought  he  could  add 
some  hints,  which  would,  if  he  should  ever  preach  it 
again,  enable  him  to  do  it  with  more  effect;  and 
added,  'This  peace  is  found  in  Christ;  it  is  only  in 
him  that  we  can  have  peace.'  In  an  interview  with 
Rev.  Mr.  Sessions  this  evening,  he  alluded  to  his  long 
cherished  hope  of  visiting  Palestine.  He  then  spoke 
of  his  desire  to  preach  the  gospel,  as  greater  than 
any  other ;  of  his  willingness  to  give  up  all  for  Christ, 
and  to  count  every  thing  beside  as  worthless  in  com- 
parison with  him." 

Since  the  publication  of  the  first  edition  of  this 
memoir,  the  compiler  has  received  the  following  let- 
ter from  Rev.  Mr.  Sessions,  describing  his  interview 
with  Mr.  T.,  Sabbath  evening,  December  14th,  to 
which  allusion  has  been  made. 

"  My  dear  Sir  :  —  I  visited  your  brother  only  a 
few  days  before  his  death.  The  sacred  image  of  the 
scene  comes  back  to  me  at  this  moment,  yet  I  can 
add  but  little  to  the  information  which  you  already 
possess.  Going  to  preach  for  him,  I  saw  him  both 
on  Saturday  and  Sabbath  evenings,  yet  feeling  that 
he  was  taxing  his  strength  unduly,  at  a  very  critical 
time  with  him,  I  sought  to  avoid  conversation,  rather 
than  elicit  remarks,  as  I  otherwise  should  have  done. 

"  His  mind  and  heart  were  all  alive ;  now  with  the 
interests,  the  salvation  of  his  flock ;  now  with  the  pre- 
ciousness  of  Christ ;  now  with  the  thought  of  being 
better  again ;  now  with  glimpses  and  foretastes  of 
heaven ;  now  with  the  trusts  of  ministers,  and  the 
44* 


522  MEMOIR    OF 

duty  of  the  Church ;  and  now  with  gratitude  for  the 
aid  and  sympathy  of  his  brethren  in  the  ministry. 

"  He  spoke  of  Palestine ;  said  that  he  had  ever  had 
a  strong  desire  to  go  there,  and  perhaps  he  might  yet 
be  permitted  to  go.  He  might  need  the  help  of  a 
voyage,  towards  spring,  after  he  should  have  measur- 
ably recovered,  and  such  a  captain  of  a  vessel,  or 
;some  one,  would  afford  him  a  passage,  and  he  should 
see  Palestine  I  He  must,  however,  '  have  a  furlough 
from  his  Master,'  must  be  '  sure  he  had  one,'  or  he 
could  not  think  of  going.  But  then,  as  he  bethought 
himself,  he  might  never  see  the  Holy  Land  in  this 
life.  Perhaps,  he  would  be  permitted,  he  said, 'to 
look  down  upon  it  from  the  wings  of  angels,  —  or 
in  company  with  Gabriel ! ' 

"  Some  months  before  this  interview,  he  had  con- 
versed with  me  about  Palestine,  during  a  call  with 
which  he  favored  me,  and  which  I  enjoyed  very 
much,  immediately  after  my  return  from  that  land. 
With  all  the  intense  interest  of  a  scholar,  as  also  with 
rare  simplicity,  he  then  inquired  after  this  thing,  and 
that,  and  among  the  rest,  how  the  very  bii'ds  looked 
there ;  whether  they  sung  there  just  as  they  do  here ; 
and  as  to  the  exact  pronunciation  of  the  word  sheik, 
saying, '  is  that  just  as  the  Arabs,  the  Bedouins  sound 
it?' 

"  As  I  was  about  to  leave  him,  at  our  last  inter- 
view, he  desired  me  to  stop  and  pray  with  him.  Af- 
ter prayer,  he  drew  me  down  with  a  child's  warmth  of 
manner,  for  a  kiss,  giving  me  one  upon  my  lips. 
And  this  was  but  in  keeping  with  the  affectionate 
confidence  he  had  for  years  shown  toward  the  breth- 
ren of  his  ministerial  Association,  and  which  was 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  523 

only  one  of  the  marked  virtues  that  adorned  him,  and 
have  caused  him  to  be  enshrined  in  so  many  hearts." 

December  16,  Mr.  T.  attempted  to  write  in  his 
journal  with  his  own  hand.  "  Lying  on  my  bed,"  he 
says,  on  the  afternoon  of  Tuesday,  "  I  make  these 
memoranda."  Before  proceeding  far,  however,  he 
was  obliged  to  use  the  hand  of  another,  by  which  he 
recorded  among  other  items  the  following :  '•  Was 
cheered  yesterday  by  one  of  brother  J.'s  angel  visits. 
He  has  left  this  p.  m."  After  alluding  to  some  ar- 
rangements in  his  worldly  affairs,  he  observes  :  "  Still 
I  have  a  strong  hope  of  life,  yet  I  must  wait  what 
time,  and  especially  what  Spring  brings  forth.  —  We 
have  also  had  a  pleasant  call  from  Miss  H.  P.,  who 
has  just  left  us." 

"  Dec.  17.  — •■•  Through  my  wife  I  wish  to  make  an 
entry  in  my  journal,  though  it  must  be  very  imper- 
fectly done.  First,  the  weather  is  the  coldest  we 
have  had  during  the  season,  the  thermometer  stand- 
ing at  10  or  12  degrees  below  zero.  ^Secondly,  my 
cough  seized  me  last  night,  particularly  when  I  was 
lying  on  my  right  side.  This  cough  is  probably  the 
result  of  an  influenza,  with  which  I  have  had  to 
struggle.  Thirdly,  brother  W.  has  just  made  us  a 
call  from  Topsfield  —  a  dear  brother.  Butthe/owr/A 
and  main  thought  which  I  wish  to  enter  here  —  oh, 
what  shall  I  say  in  reference  to  it  —  the  substance  of 
it  is,  that  this  morning  at  dawn,  or  perhaps  before,  I 
found  myself  absorbed  in  the  glory  of  God  (having 
the  day  previous  arranged  all  my  secular  matters,  so 
that  I  can  leave  them)  anxious  only  for  the  spiritual 
interests  of  my  flock,  and  to  enjoy  the  high  privilege 


524  MEMOIR    OF 

of  going  up  to  the  throne  of  Gad ;  of  being  received 
into  the  arms  of  his  love,  amidst  the  songs  of  angels 
over  those  who  on  earth  are  turning  unto  the  Lord." 
He  speaks  of  finding  himself  in  the  state  of  mind  ex- 
pressed by  David,  especially  when  he  acknowledged 
his  transgression  in  the  presence  of  the  prophet  Gad; 
believes  he  can  say  with  Job,  "  Though  he  slay  me, 
yet  will  I  trust  in  him ; "  and  with  Isaiah  "  Here  am  I, 
send  me." 

Further  particulars,  with  reference  to  a  few  days 
immediately  preceding  Mr.  T.'s  death,  are  furnished 
by  his  widow.  "  On  the  15th  and  16th  no  marked 
change  occurred  in  his  situation.  He  was  dressed, 
sat  in  an  easy  chair  a  part  of  each  day,  and  walked 
without  assistance  into  the  next  room." 

About  dawn  on  the  morning  of  the  17th,  he  said 
to  his  wife,  who  was  sitting  by  him,  that  he  had  been 
for  some  time  enjoying  a  wonderful  visit  from  his 
Saviour,  and  remarked  that  for  several  days,  about 
the  same  hour,  he  had  been  refreshed  with  similar 
visits,  but  this  had  been  more  vivid  and  overwhelm- 
ing than  any  other.  He  had  been  made  to  feel  an 
inexpressible  sense  of  his  own  vileness,  and  to  pos- 
sess an  all-absorbing  desire  to  be  lost  in  the  glory  of 
God.  Especially  and  intensely  was  his  soul  drawn 
out  in  desires  for  the  conversion  of  his  dear  people. 
"  You  know,"  he  continued,  "  how  this  subject 
pressed  itself  upon  my  mind  in  the  early  part  of  my 
sickness.  You  remember  the  day  when  the  doctor 
came  in  and  found  me  weeping.  I  have  had  anxi- 
eties for  myself,  but  I  think  God  has  heard  my  pray- 
ers. I  feel  no  desire  but  to  be  wholly  absorbed  in 
the  divine  glory,  and  if  the  conversion  of  this  people 


REV.   OLIVER   A.   TAYLOR.  525 

could  be  brought  about  by  means  of  my  death,  how 
joyfully  would  I  depart  this  moment."  He  then  for 
some  time  prayed  audibly  with  intense  emotion,  and 
the  whole  burden  of  his  prayer  was  for  his  people. 
He  exclaimed,  "Oh  my  people  —  the  flock  thou 
dear  Shepherd  hast  committed  to  me."  Also,  he 
requested  his  wife  to  join  him  in  earnest  entreaty  for 
this  one  thing-,  saying,  he  knew  the  Tempter  was 
near  to  divert  his  thoughts.  Soon  afterwards,  he 
remarked :  "  Never  before,  in  all  my  sickness,  have  I 
been  made  to  feel  as  I  now  do.  "What  God  has  be- 
fore me  I  know  not.  It  may  be  that  he  intends  to 
raise  me  up  to  speak  again  from  the  pulpit,  and  that 
he  is  showing  me  these  things  to  fit  me  for  this  fur- 
ther service." 

In  the  course  of  the  forenoon  of  the  17th,  after 
several  hours  had  elapsed  since  the  commencement 
of  those  feelings  and  intense  views  above  noticed,  he 
said  they  still  continued.  Twice  during  the  day  he 
was  dressed,  and  sat  in  his  easy  chair.  In  the  morning 
he  had  led  in  family  prayer.  Portions  from  the  12th, 
13th,  and  14th  chapters  of  Luke  had  been  read  to 
him  successively  for  two  or  three  days,  and  each  day 
as  the  Bible  was  opened,  he  would  say,  "  Read  on 
where  you  left  off —  that  is  so  sweet."  To  his  bro- 
ther J.,  who  visited  him  on  this  day,  he  remarked : 
"  You  see  to  what  we  may  be  brought.  How  infi- 
nitely important  that  we  be  found  in  Christ." 

Here  it  may  be  stated  that  during  the  whole  period 
of  his  sickness,  Mr.  T.  sought  to  benefit  spiritually 
all  who  entered  his  sick  room ;  he  had  a  word  for 
each.  The  use  of  his  rational  powers  was  remarka- 
bly preserved.     The  activity  of  his  mind  was  such, 


526  MEMOIR    OF 

that  at  times  he  doubtless  taxed  himself  intellectually 
too  much.  He  could  not  throw  off  his  love  of  books, 
nor  resist  his  long  cherished  cravings  for  knowledge ; 
he  must  keep  some  run  of  the  news  of  the  day,  and 
see  that  his  papers  were  all  on  file. 

The  closing  scene  in  Mr.  T.'s  life  is  described  in  a 
letter  written  by  Miss  Louisa  C.  Lord,  to  the  bro- 
ther in  New  Jersey. 

"  It  was  my  privilege  to  be  with  your  brother  dur- 
ing the  last  few  hours  of  his  life.  I  called  at  the 
house  about  6,  p.  m.,  and  had  been  there  only  a  few 
moments,  when  the  nurse  sent  for  Mrs.  T.,  who  had 
stepped  down  stairs  to  see  me.  Mr.  T.  was  cough- 
ing. She  went  immediately  to  him,  and  as  she  did 
not  return,  I  soon  followed  her  up  stairs.  Together 
we  raised  the  dear  sufferer,  and  supporting  him  in 
bed,  gained  for  him  a  little  relief,  though  he  was  still 
greatly  distressed  with  incessant  coughing.  His 
lungs  seemed  loaded,  and  he  had  not  strength  to  re- 
lieve them.  It  was  very  difficult  for  him  to  converse. 
*  The  Saviour,'  he  said,  '  can  send  me  ease,  and  none 
but  he ;  and  he  wiU  do  it  if  he  sees  it  best.'  He  then 
asked  to  have  prayer  offered.  A  friend  and  neigh- 
bor present  led  in  prayer.  After  this  as  Mrs.  T.  stood 
by  him,  he  inquired,  '  who  is  in  the  room,  my  dear  ? ' 
She  replied,  no  one  but  Louisa  holding  the  chair  to 
support  you.  He  now  looked  at  his  wife  for  a  min- 
ute with  intense  emotion,  and  then  in  tones  of  inex- 
pressible tenderness  and  affection  said  to  her, '  Mary, 
can  you  tread  this  thorny  road  with  Christ  ?  give  me 
a  kiss,  then.' 

"  At  about  8  he  remarked,  '  Well,  I  do  not  know 


REV.   OLIVER    A.  TAYLOR.  527 

bvit  this  is  the  beginning  of  the  end.'  I  said,  I  hope 
not,  I  trust  you  will  be  relieved  soon,  and  so  indeed 
I  thought.  In  a  minute  he  said,  '  I  have  no  fear,  I 
am  not  agitated  in  the  least,  if  this  be  death.'  Va- 
rious remedies  were  tried,  but  nothing  seemed  to  af- 
ford relief ;  the  coughing  continued.  Becoming  very- 
weary  of  his  position,  he  was  laid  down  in  bed,  and 
as  the  cough  did  not  seem  aggravated,  nor  the  diffi- 
culty of  breathing  increased  by  this  change,  we  still 
hoped  that  ease  would  again  return. 

"  At  10  a  friend  came  in  to  watch,  but  owing  to 
the  dim  light  of  the  room,  Mr.  T.  did  not  at  once 
perceive  who  he  was.  On  being  told,  he  said,  '-good 
evenings  Mr.  Marble,  /  love  to  have  my  brethren  about 
Twe.'  In  talking,  he  was  obliged  to  pause  at  nearly 
every  word,  and  the  difficulty  of  course  increased  as 
he  grew  weaker ;  but  still  he  made  constant  effort, 
frequently  commencing  some  Scripture  promise,  or 
verse  of  a  hymn  for  those  about  him  to  finish  re- 
peating. 

"  Between  ten  and  eleven  the  coughing  was  so  in- 
cessant that  I  held  a  teaspoon  more  than  three  quar- 
ters of  an  hour  to  find  an  opportunity  for  him  to  re- 
ceive its  contents.  During  this  time,  I  think  it  v/as, 
he  said,  *  Lord  Jesus,  receive  my  spirit,'  — '  be  found 
in  him,'  —  *  are  we  all  in  him.''  Later  he  asked, '  what 
o'clock  is  it  ? '  On  being  told  almost  12,  it  wants 
only  four  minutes,  '  O,  is  it  not  later  than  that,'  he 
replied.  So  severe  was  his  distress,  the  time  seemed 
long  to  him  ;  it  surely  did  to  us.  Very  soon  a  cloud 
passed  before  him,  and  he  exclaimed, '  O,  I  am  afraid, 
because  I  have  not  the  presence  of  my  Saviour.  O, 
I  have  it  not  as  I  had  it  this  morning.     Pray  for  me.' 


528  MEMOIR    OP 

Mr.  M.  offered  a  few  petitions,  and  he  himself  prayed 
with  great  earnestness :  '  Dear  Saviour,  did  I  not  lay 
myself  at  thy  feet  this  morning  —  didst  thou  not  ac- 
cept me  ?  Thou  wilt  not  cast  me  off.  Thou  wilt 
not  forsake  me.'     The  verse  commencing, 

*  The  soul  that  on  Jesus  hath  leaned  for  repose/ 

was  repeated  to  him,  and  he  was  soothed  by  it.  He 
commenced  the  one, 

*  There  is  a  fountain  filled  with  blood/ 

and  Mrs.  T.  finished  it.  The  darkness,  which  was 
only  comparative,  seemed  to  vanish,  and  he  ex- 
claimed, *  but  O  to  be  absorbed  in  the  glory  of  God ; 
this  is  what  I  desire.'  These  were  the  last  words  he 
uttered.  Previous  to  this  he  had  asked  to  be  raised 
up,  and  also  requested  more  air.  The  doors  were 
thrown  open,  and  a  fan  was  used ;  he  ceased  cough- 
ing —  his  head  fell  gently  upon  the  right  side,  and 
almost  before  we  were  aware,  the  pure  spirit  had 
winged  its  way  to  that  bright  world  where  sin  and 
suffering  are  alike  unknown." 

He  expired  fifteen  minutes  after  midnight,  Thurs- 
day, December  18,  aged  fifty  years  and  four  months. 

The  ensuing  notice  appeared  in  the  Boston  Daily 
Traveller,  on  the  day  following  his  decease. 

"  It  is  with  grief  that  we  are  called  to  announce 
the  death  of  the  Rev.  Oliver  A.  Taylor,  of  Manches- 
ter, Mass.  Mr.  T.  has  been  the  pastor  of  the  Con- 
gregational church  in  M.  for  more  than  twelve  years, 
and  sustained  among  his  people  and  all  who  knew 
him,  the  highest  reputation  as  a  faithful  pastor,  and 


KEY.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOK.  529 

as  an  eminently  devout  man.  He  was  a  man  of  re- 
markable simplicity  and  sincerity  of  character ;  and 
as  a  scholar  had  no  superior  in  the  county,  and  few 
in  the  country." 

From  letters  of  condolence  received  by  Mrs.  T., 
immediately  on  the  death  of  her  husband,  the  fol- 
lowing extracts  are  selected  as  representing  the  sen- 
timents of  them  all.     One  individual  writes :  — 

"  I  hope  you  need  not  this  to  assure  you  that  I 
sympathize  most  sincerely  and  deeply  in  your  afflic- 
tion, in  the  removal  by  death  of  your  dear  husband. 
When  ive  saw  him  last  he  addressed  us  in  a  few  and 
affecting  words,  indicating  his  own  exceeding  peace 
and  the  infinite  importance  to  us  and  to  all  to  be 
ready  for  the  great  and  solemn  change.  To  you, 
surely,  I  need  not  say  that  you  have  lost  a  most  ex- 
cellent and  devoted  husband;  his  people  a  most 
faithful  and  learned  pastor ;  the  ministry  of  this  re- 
gion, one  of  its  most  valued  and  respected  members  ; 
and  the  community  at  large,  a  sincere,  honest,  and 
high-souled  man." 

Another. 

"  He  is  gone !  The  scholar,  saint,  and  pastor  — 
the  husband,  brother,  friend,  we  shall  behold  on  earth 
no  more.  His  meekness  and  quietness,  the  liberality 
of  his  feelings  towards  those  who  differed  from  him 
in  sentiment  —  his  general  kindness,  his  prayers  so 
simple  and  natural,  that  they  seemed  the  very  breath 
of  devotion,  and  his  learning  so  extensive,  and  yet 
so  unostentatious  —  all  these,  henceforth,  belong  to 
memory  alone.     For  my  own  part,  I  shall  miss  him, 

45 


530  MEMOIR    OF 

and  mourn  him.  My  opportunities  of  intercourse 
with  him  have  not  been  very  frequent,  but  each  suc- 
cessive one  has  raised  him  in  my  estimation  and  re- 
gard. I  will  not  pretend  to  suggest  to  you  the  con- 
solations which  are  appropriate  to  your  situation.  I 
rejoice  in  the  thought  that  you  have,  and  will  have 
every  religious  comfort  that  can  attend  and  alleviate 
affliction.  And  you  will  need  it  all.  May  the  Al- 
mighty arm  sustain  you." 

Another. 

"  Allow  me  to  express  to  you  the  deep  sympathy 
which  I  feel  in  your  affliction.  I  had  long  known 
your  dear  husband,  and  loved  as  well  as  esteemed 
him.  I  loved  him  not  only  for  traits  of  character 
shown  in  his  common  intercourse,  but  also  for  that 
tender  and  self-sacrificing  affection  which  he  mani- 
fested towards  his  mother  and  the  younger  members 
of  the  family.  He  has  gone  to  his  reward.  Your 
desolate  heart  must  grieve,  but  joy  too  is  mingled  in 
the  cup — joy  that  you  have  been  blessed  with  the 
aid  of  that  devoted  servant  of  Christ  for  so  many 
years  in  the  pursuit  of  the  glory  in  which  you  hope 
soon  to  participate,  with  him.  May  he  who  has 
made  the  wound  bind  it  up,  and  indeed  be  to  you 
more  than  the  best  earthly  friend." 

Another. 

"  Many,  very  many,  are  the  hearts  which  have  been 
turned  most  affectionately  towards  you,  and  are  still 
directed  with  intense  desire,  that  you  may  experience 
in  the  fullest  measure  all  the  sympathizing  consola- 
tions of  Him  who  wept  with  the  sorrowing  Martha 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  531 

and  Mary.  He  is  indeed  the  Christian's  confidence 
in  life  and  in  death.  And  blessed,  unspeakably 
blessed,  are  they  that  mourn  with  the  'joy  of  grief 
which  is  your  own." 

His  funeral  occurred  Tuesday,  p.  m.,  December  23d, 
amid  a  snow-storm  of  great  violence.  Hundreds, 
anxious  to  attend  it,  were  kept  away  by  the  severity 
of  the  weather.  Even  the  clergyman  appointed  to 
preach  the  sermon,  though  residing  only  four  miles 
distant,  could  not  reach  the  pla.ce.  The  eldest  and 
the  youngest  of  Mr.  T.'s  brothers  were  present,  also 
two  of  Mrs.  T.'s.  Neither  his  mother  nor  one  of  his 
sisters  could  be  there. 

His  remains  were  borne  to  the  sanctuary,  and 
placed  upon  the  platform  in  front  of  the  pulpit,  where 
he  had  often  stood  to  administer  the  Lord's  Supper. 
Appropriate  exercises  were  performed  by  several  pas- 
tors who  had  succeeded  in  pressing  their  way  through 
the  storm.  A  set  piece,  the  18th  hymn,  book  I.,  and 
the  456th  of  the  Select,  were  sung.  The  pulpit  and 
the  entire  gallery  were  hung  in  mourning. 

Mr.  T.  was  interred  in  the  central  part  of  a  new 
Cemetery,  very  near  the  spot  where  he  stood  a  few 
years  before  and  delivered  an  address,  dedicatory  of 
that  ground  to  burial  purposes.  The  sermon  intended 
for  the  day  of  the  funeral  was  preached  in  M.  the 
next  Sabbath,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Crowell,  of  Essex.  The 
parish  assumed  the  expenses  of  the  funeral. 

Before  night  came  on  the  storm  ceased,  and  the 
sun  poured  his  setting  beams  into  the  chamber  where 
the  shepherd  had  expired. 


532  MEMOIR    OF   REV.   0.   A.   TAYLOR. 

Individual  friends  have  erected  a  monument  at  his 
grave,  with  the  following  inscription. 

[Front  Side.] 

THE    REVEREND 

OLIVER   ALDEN   TAYLOR, 
Born  at  Yarmouth,  Mass., 

Aug.  18,  1801, 

Installed  here  as  Pastor, 

Sept.  18,  1839, 

Died  Dec.  18,  1851. 


[Opposite  Side.] 
RESURGEMUS. 

He  was  a  man  of  clear  intellect,  of  deep  and  various  learning,  of  rare 
humilitv,  candor  and  kindness ;  a  laborious  Student,  an  able 
Preacher,  a  devoted  Pastor;  he  was  in  every  relation 
faithful,  and  lived  as  one  "who  must  give  ac- 
count."  Tom,  while  yet  in  his  full  strength, 
from  the  warm  alFections  of  wife, 
kindred  and  flock,  he  calmly 
resigned  them  all  and 
fell    asleep    in 
Jesus. 


CHAPTER   XIII. 


HIS    LIBRARY ESTIMATE    OF    HIS    CHARACTER. 

HIS    LIBRARY. 

Mr.  Taylor  had  collected  a  large  and  valuable 
private  library.  His  books,  as  numbered,  amounted 
to  2,562.  Some  of  them  were  indeed  of  little  value, 
while  not  a  few  were  very  costly.  He  had  a  rare 
collection  of  foreign  works.  The  purchasing  of  so 
many  books  may  have  been  to  some  extent  an  error, 
but  he  denied  himself  many  a  luxury  and  even  com- 
fort in  order  to  obtain  them.  Most  of  them  were 
procured  before  he  became  a  pastor.  His  salary  did 
notj^during  the  greater  part  of  his  residence  in  M., 
meet  his  current  necessary  expenses. 

Before  his  death  he  gave  directions  in  regard  to 
the  disposition  to  be  made  of  his  library.  To  Union 
College,  his  Alma  Mater,  he  gave  his  Arabic  works 
which  cost  him  about  $150.  These  he  intended  as 
payment  of  a  debt  of  honor  to  the  institution.  They 
were  received,  however,  as  a  legacy^  and  the  follow- 
ing acknowledgment  \^(as  returned  :  — 

"  At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees 
of  Union  College,  held  July  27,  1852,  the  following 
preamble  and  resolution  were  adopted. 

"  The  Rev.  Oliver  A.  Taylor,  an  esteemed  and 
erudite  minister  of  the  gospel,  and  a  graduate  of  this 
45* 


534  MEMOIK    OF 

college  of  twenty-five  years'  standing,  having  in  his 
last  will  and  testament  bequeathed  a  valuable  col- 
lection of  books  in  Arabic  and  other  branches  of 
Oriental  literature  to  the  library  of  his  Alma  Mater, 

"  tiesolved,  That  the  Secretary  be  directed  to  ex- 
press to  the  executors  and  the  surviving  friends  of 
Mr.  Taylor,  the  grateful  sense  entertained  by  this 
Board  of  such  a  memorial  of  attachment  from  one 
of  its  alumni. 

"  A  true  copy,  L.  H.  Willard,  Clerk." 

It  was  Mr.  Taylor's  request  that  his  wife  should 
select  whatever  volumes  she  might  desire  for  her 
own  use.  He  also  left  directions  that  some  of  his 
books  be  sold  in  order  to  obtain  the  sum  of  $200  for 
the  refunding,  with  interest,  of  loans  due  by  him  to 
the  Albany  Presbytery.  Soon  after  his  death,  the 
eldest  brother  communicated  this  last  named  fact 
to  that  Body  when  holding  a  session  in  Albany. 
Through  a  committee,  of  whom  the  Rev.  Dr.  Spra^e 
was  chairman,  the  notes  of  Mr.  T.  were  given  up  to 
the  executors  on  condition  that  the  books  be  not 
sold  in  payment  of  debts,  but  retained  by  the  family. 

A  donation  had  been  designated  for  his  brother- 
in-law,  E.  L.  Cleaveland,  D.  D.,  of  New  Haven, 
Connecticut,  and  the  will  of  the  deceased  has  been 
carefully  carried  out  in  this  particular. 

His  three  brothers  were  to  receive  the  remainder  of 
the  library,  with  the  expectation  that  they  would  par- 
ticularly remember  their  mother  and  sisters  in  this 
respect.  This  desire  of  the  departed  has  also  been 
executed. 

It  was  furthermore  his  request  that  all  remaining- 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  535 

volumes  which  could  not  be  of  special  service  to  his 
brothers,  should  be  presented  to  Amherst  College. 
A  valuable  donation  was  accordingly  made  to  that 
Institution,  and  the  following  note  received  in  re- 
turn :  — 

"  The  Trustees  of  Amherst  College  have  received 
from  Rev.  T.  A.  Taylor,  Rev.  R.  Taylor,  and  Rev.  J. 
Taylor,  three  hundred  and  eighty-five  volumes  of 
German  and  other  books,  from  the  library  of  the  late 
Rev.  O.  A.  Taylor,  of  Manchester,  for  which  they 
return  a  grateful  acknowledgment. 

"  Edward  Hitchcock,  President. 
"E.  S.  Snell,  Librarian. 
"  Amherst,  Mass.,  Aug.  5,  1852." 

The  donation  was  valued  by  the  college  officers  at 
$450.  It  included  one  hundred  and  ninety-five  vol- 
umes of  the  best  standard  German  books  ;  forty-four 
volumes  of  other  foreign  works ;  ten  volumes  of 
Antiquities ;  one  hundred  and  thirty-six  American 
and  English  books;  three  hundred  and  eighty-five 
in  all. 

So  perfectly  systematic  was  Mr.  T.  in  all  the 
arrangements  of  his  library,  that  there  was  not  a 
book  in  it,  the  place  of  which  was  unknown  to  him 
as  he  lay  on  his  sick  bed  in  another  -room.  When 
not  taken  down  for  immediate  use,  each  occupied  its 
own  place.  The  same  exactness  of  order  pervaded 
every  thing  pertaining  to  his  study  ;  pen,  ink,  letters, 
periodicals,  receipts,  and  other  papers,  all  had  their 
appropriate  places.  Nor  was  he  less  particular  in 
the  business  matters  of  life.     He  kept  an  account  of 


536  MEMOIR    OP 

all  the  letters  which  he  received,  also  of  those  which 
he  wrote. 

ESTIMATE     OF    HIS     CHARACTER. 

Soon  after  his  decease,  the  church  and  society  in 
Manchester  united  very  cordially  in  giving  an  invi- 
tation to  Rev.  Rufus  Taylor,  of  Shrewsbury,  New 
Jersey,  to  settle  with  them  in  the  ministry.  Though 
occupying  an  important  field,  he  considered  it  his 
duty  to  accept  this  call^  and  on  the  6th  of  May,  1852, 
was  installed  as  successor  of  his  brother,  and  at  the 
request  of  the  compiler,  he  has  forwarded  the  ensu- 
ing estimate  of  his  predecessor  as  a  pastor  :  — 

"  After  an  intercourse  of  several  months  with  those 
among  whom  he  spent  his  entire  pastoral  life,  I  will 
endeavor  to  give  you  the  impressions  made  in  vari- 
ous ways  upon  my  own  mind  respecting  him,  in  the 
sacred  relation  of  pastor.  These  will  be  corroborated 
more  or  less  by  the  testimony  of  individuals  who 
knew  him  intimately  and  long. 

"  He  was  a  very  laborious  pastor.  The  amount  of 
labor  that  he  performed  for  his  people  must  seem 
incredible  to  those  unacquainted  with  his  active, 
stirring  habits,  and  even  with  my  knowledge  of  these, 
it  is  difficult  for  me  to  credit  the  testimony  of  many 
respecting  his  labors.  He  visited  much,  and  turned 
his  visits  to  good  account.  Considering  the  extent 
of  his  parish,  one  might  suppose  he  could  scarcely 
have  done  more  in  this  way  than  he  did  if  he  had 
done  nothing  else.  One  person  has  stated  that  his 
pastor  did  not  omit  to  call  upon  him  for  a  single  day 
during  a  sickness  of  three  months ;  yet  while  he  was 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  537 

doing  so  much  for  a  single  afflicted  family,  few,  if 
any  of  those  who  called  him  pastor,  had  occasion  to 
think  that  his  well-known  step  and  kind  voice  were 
less  frequently  heard  by  themselves  than  at  other 
times.  When  the  weather  would  permit  he  was  al- 
most daily  moving  among  his  people,  speaking  to 
one  by  the  way-side  or  in  the  shop,  to  another  in  the 
field,  while  for  a  longer  or  shorter  time  he  would  call 
at  the  residence  of  a  third.  Long  before  the  sun  or 
his  people  were  risen,  he  was  accustomed  to  go  from 
house  to  house  with  periodicals  which  he  laid  at  their 
doors,  and  in  this  employment  it  is  said  he  was 
sometimes  near  a  mile  from  home  before  the  dawri 
of  day.  But  as  much  as  he  did  in  this  way,  these 
things,  for  the  most  part,  were  only  his  relaxation 
from  the  labors  of  the  study  where  his  mind  was 
taxed  to  the  utmost,  and  to  a  considerable  extent  for 
the  immediate  benefit  of  his  people.  So  far  was  he 
from  bringing  before  them  in  the  name  of  the  Lord 
that  which  cost  him  nothing,  that  if  he  erred  in  this 
matter  it  was  in  having  his  discourses  too  labored. 
None  of  his  parishioners  were  overlooked ;  none  had 
just  cause  to  feel  themselves  neglected.  Those 
whose  age  or  infirmities  necessarily  kept  them  from 
the  house  of  God,  were  special  objects  of  his  atten- 
tion. 

"  He  was  a  faithful  pastor.  In  his  efforts  for  the 
good  of  his  people  it  was  his  aim  to  bring  out  the 
whole  truth  of  God  —  to  keep  back  nothing  that 
would  be  profitable  for  them.  Evangelical  truth 
which  early  took  a  strong  hold  upon  his  own  mind 
was  continually  taking  deeper  and  deeper  root  there, 
and  bringing  forth  corresponding  fruit  for  the  benefit 


538  MEMOIR    OF 

of  his  people.  His  aim  was  to  watch  for  souls  as 
one  who  must  give  account,  and  he  was  satisfied 
with  nothing  short  of  seeing  Christ  formed  in  his 
hearers  the  hope  of  glory.  To  secure  this  result,  he 
not  only  preached  in  a  bold,  earnest,  and  faithful 
manner,  but  warned  the  impenitent  and  delinquent 
professor  in  private,  as  well  as  from  the  sacred  desk. 
He  probed  most  thoroughly  the  hearts  of  convicted 
sinners,  lest  they  should  rest  on  something  short  of 
Christ.  Never  at  ease  in  Zion,  he  was  constantly 
on  the  watch  for  opportunities  to  do  good.  He  was 
very  apt  in  turning  the  various  providences  that  oc- 
curred among  his  people  to  good  account,  and  in 
having  a  word  in  season  for  every  one.  His  stand- 
ard of  usefulness  was  high,  and  he  was  constantly 
striving  to  reach  it.  In  the  examination  of  candi- 
dates for  admission  to  the  church,  he  was  not  satis- 
fied with  any  experience  less  than  a  deep  sense  of 
entire  ruin  by  nature,  and  of  dependence  on  the  mer- 
its of  Christ  alone  for  salvation. 

"  Our  late  brother  was  also  a  tender  and  an  affec- 
tionate pastor.  Few  have  possessed  more  delicate 
sensibilities,  a  warmer  heart,  or  purer  and  more  ar- 
den±  affections.  To  all  these  he  gave  full  scope  in 
the  discharge  of  his  parochial  duties.  He  knew  well 
how  to  deal  with  the  bruised  reed,  and  to  bind  up 
the  broken-hearted.  Especially  did  his  tenderness 
of  affection  manifest  itself  towards  the  lamhs  of  his 
flock,  for  whom  he  '  always  had  a  kind  word,  and  of- 
ten some  little  book.'  He  seldom  returned  from  the 
neighboring  city  without  a  supply  of  presents  for 
them,  many  of  which  are  now  carefully  preserved  as 
mementos  of  their  affectionate  pastor  whom  they  will 


KEV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  539 

see  no  more.  '  He  was  an  unspeakable  blessing  to 
the  rising  generation.' 

"  He  was  a  very  sympathizing  pastor ;  weeping 
with  those  that  weep,  as  well  as  rejoicing  with  those 
that  rejoice.  In  obedience  to  the  dictates  of  his 
heart,  rather  than  from  a  sense  of  professional  duty, 
he  was  found  promptly  and  often  at  the  bedside  of 
the  sick,  and  ia  the  habitations  of  sorrow.  After  he 
was  laid  aside  from  his  active  labors,  one  in  afflic- 
tion said,  '  O  that  we  could  have  our  dear  minister 
to  visit  us,  for  no  voice  ever  soothed  my  aching  heart 
like  his.'     Similar  to  this  was  the  language  of  many. 

"  Especially  were  thejt?oor  the  objects  of  his  care. 
He  sought  them  out,  and  in  addition  to  such  sub- 
stantial aid  as  he  felt  able  to  render  them,  he  would 
in  a  private  way  secure  for  them  the  assistance  of 
benevolent  friends,  who  were  ready  to  cooperate  with 
him  in  every  good  work.  He  thus  relieved  the  wants 
of  many.  And  here  I  may  allude  to  his  scrupulous 
exactness  in  the  performance  of  all  his  promises^  how- 
ever much  sacrifice  it  might  cost  himself.  He  never 
in  any  way  raised  expectations  without  intending  to 
meet  them.  As  a  pastor,  he  cultivated  the  benevo- 
lent feelings  of  his  flock.  *  During  his  ministry  our 
yearly  contributions  more  than  doubled.'  '  He  never 
frowned  on  an  agent'  of  any  of  our  benevolent  in- 
stitutions. 

"  Our  brother  was  a  successful  pastor.  At  the 
present  day  we  could  scarcely  commit  a  greater  er- 
ror, than  to  judge  of  the  success  of  a  pastor  by  the 
numbers  added  to  his  church.  But  if  he  should  be 
thus  judged,  his  success  in  the  ministry  would  prob- 
ably equal  that  of  the  majority  of  judicious  pastors, 


540  MEMOIR    OF 

similarly  situated.  *  For  two  winters  after  he  took 
the  charge  of  this  flock  the  place  enjoyed  powerful 
revivals,  during  which  his  labors  were  blessed  to  the 
salvation  of  many  souls.'  While  he  was  thus  gath- 
ering into  the  garner  of  the  Lord  from  the  world,  he 
was  not  less  useful  in  the  building  up  of  saints  in 
the  most  holy  faith.  The  natural  turn  of  his  mind, 
and  the  peculiar  way  in  which  God  had  led  him, 
well  qualified  him  for  this  work.  He  could  from  per- 
sonal experience  enter  into  almost  every  class  and 
shade  of  trials  that  others  might  think  peculiar  to 
themselves.  But  in  addition  to  the  good  accom- 
plished in  these  ways,  we  must  not  lose  sight  of  his 
deep-laid  and  far-reaching  plans  for  the  future  bene- 
fit of  his  people.  In  this  respect  his  works,  as  do  the 
rays  of  departing  day,  after  the  sun  has  gone  down, 
will  long  bless  the  earth.  The  savor  of  his  name 
among  the  people  of  his  late  charge  is  as  ointment 
poured  forth.  '  He  spread  the  gospel-net  wide,'  and 
probably  left  this  people  better  indoctrinated  than 
they  ever  were  before.  Whatever  good  develops 
itself  here  for  years  to  come  will  be  owing,  in  a  great 
measure,  to  his  labors  and  prayers  —  to  that  happy 
influence  which  he  has  left  behind  as  the  heritage  of 
his  people. 

"  In  conclusion ;  —  our  brother,  as  a  pastor,  exalted 
the  Saviour.  It  was  obvious  to  those  who  sat  under 
his  ministrations,  that  to  him  Christ  was  the  absorb- 
ing theme,  the  great  central  point  towards  which  his 
efforts  were  directed.  In  his  every-day  walk,  as  well 
as  in  the  pulpit,  self  was  very  much  abased,  while 
Jesus  was  extolled.  As  the  highways  for  a  great 
distance  from  a  metropolis  converge  towards  it,  and 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  541 

as  all  the  rivers  are  tending  to  the  ocean,  so  his 
themes,  wherever  they  commenced,  not  only  tended 
to  Christ,  but  terminated  in  him.  He  loved  to  be  at 
his  Master'' s  feet.  He  hid  himself  behind  the  glori- 
ous gospel  while  he  unfolded  in  glowing  language 
the  great  truths  respecting  man's  ruin  by  sin  and  re- 
covery through  Christ.  One  who  has  here  been  a 
professor  of  religion  more  than  half  a  century,  testi- 
fies that  she  never  returned  from  the  house  of  God 
after  hearing  Mm  preach,  without  having  gained  in- 
creasingly adoring  thoughts  of  God.  Thus  con- 
stantly was  he  magnifying  his  office. 

"  But  his  sepulchre  is  with  us.  As  I  pass  it  and 
repass  it  from  time  to  time,  in  my  endeavors  to  carry 
out  the  plans  which  he  laid  and  matured  for  the 
good  of  this  people,  I  look  towards  it  and  am  in- 
structed ;  but  when  I  think  of  him  as  beyond  storms,, 
trials,  and  cares,  in  that  ocean  of  love  after  which  he 
aspired,  I  would  not  call  him  back,  but  would  have 
his  precious  dust  to  sleep  on,  while  his  influence  lin~ 
gers,  and  his  prayers  for  his  people  are  answering." 

Letter  to-  the  compiler  from  Dr.  Nott,  President  of 
Union  College. 

"  It  is  in  keeping  with  your  brother's  character^ 
that  he  should  have  remembered  his  Alma  Mater,, 
even  after  so  long  an  absence.  The  books  you  men- 
tion which  he  has  bequeathed,  will  be  received  rather 
as  a  memorial  of  an  esteemed  alumnus,  than  as  the 
payment  of  a  debt,  and  will  be  placed  in  the  college 
library  as  such.  Your  brother,  while  at  College,  sus- 
tained a  high  character  as  a  scholar.  The  Catalogue 
he  prepared  while  at  And  over,  was  a  model  Catalogue^ 
46 


542  MEMOIR    OF 

and  so  it  has  been  regarded  both  here  and  in  other 
countries ;  and  many  of  the  papers  he  has  written 
have  done  credit  to  him  and  to  us.  But  his  work  is 
done,  and  in  the  midst  of  his  days  he  has  been  called 
to  render  in  his  account,  and  I  trust,  to  receive  from 
the  Master  he  served,  that  note  of  approbation, '  Well 
done,  good  and  faithful  servant :  enter  thou  into  the 
joy  of  thy  Lord.'  May  his  death  be  sanctified  to  the 
friends  he  has  left." 

From  Bishop  Potter,  of  Pennsylvania. 

"  You  are  correct  in  supposing  that  I  was  a  Pro- 
fessor in  Union  College  when  your  brother  Oliver 
was  a  student.  It  is  now  more  than  a  quarter  of  a 
century ;  and  you  will  not  be  surprised  to  hear  that 
the  lapse  of  years,  the  change  in  my  pursuits,  and 
the  great  number  of  young  men  (some  two  thou- 
sand) who  were  under  our  care  at  different  times, 
have  conspired  to  obscure  my  recollections  of  him. 
His  person  and  manners,  indicative  of  a  studious  and 
thoughtful  life,  are  distinctly  before  me.  I  remem- 
ber him  also  as  addicted  to  a  larger  range  of  studies 
and  to  severer  application  than  was  common  in  those 
days.  His  conduct  was  always  unexceptionable, 
and  his  proficiency  in  some  branches  of  learning 
marked.  Being  at  that  time  Professor  of  Mathe- 
matics, and  desiring  to  prepare  a  translation  of  a 
French  work  on  Analytic  Geometry,  (Legendre's,  I 
think,)  I  employed  your  brother  to  execute  a  rough 
draft  of  it.  It  involved  great  labor,  and  a  good 
knowledge  both  of  the  language  of  the  original  and 
of  elementary  mathematics.  I  was  called  away 
soon  after  to  another  field  of  duty,  and  never  under- 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  543 

took  the  revision  of  his  work.  It  will  be  found,  I 
think,  in  the  library  of  Union  College,  executed  with 
great  neatness  of  penmanship,  and  with,  I  doubt  not, 
creditable  accuracy. 

"  At  subsequent  periods  of  his  career,  I  met  evi- 
dence that  he  was  fulfilling  the  promise  of  his  college 
course.  The  works  which  he  published,  and  of 
which  I  have  seen  but  a  part,  indicated  an  erudition 
much  more  extensive  than  common,  and  one  always 
consecrated  to  the  service  of  religion.  The  death  of 
such  a  man  is  a  public  loss,  and  it  afforded  me 
mournful  satisfaction,  that,  as  a  Trustee  of  his  Alma 
Mater,  I  had  the  opportunity,  at  its  last  annual  com- 
mencement, to.  offer  a  resolution  commemorative  of 
his  virtues,  and  of  the  liberality  with  which  he  had 
contributed  to  the  increase  of  its  library.  The  col- 
lection of  books  in  oriental  literature  which  he  be- 
queathed to  it,  is  an  expressive  monument  of  his  ex- 
tensive scholarship,  and  of  his  filial  attachment  to 
the  foster  parent  of  his  earlier  studies." 

From  Prof.  Tyler,  Amherst  College,  Mass. 

"  I  rejoice  to  learn  that  you  have  undertaken  to 
prepare  a  Memoir  of -your  late  brother.  Such  a 
tribute  is  due  to  his  talents  and  piety,  to  his  ability 
and  faithfulness  as  a  minister  of  Christ,  and  espe- 
cially to  his  indefatigable  industry  and  distinguished 
attainments  as  a  Christian  scholar.  He  devoted 
many  of  the  last  years  of  his  life  wholly  to  studies, 
illustrative  of  the  literature  and  the  theology  of  the 
Bible.  The  public  have  seen  the  results  and  are  still 
reaping  the  benefits  of  those  years  of  silent  and  un- 
obtrusive toil  on  the  Catalogue  of  the   Library  at 


544  MEMOIR    OF 

Andover;  and  on  several  volumes,  rich  in  learning 
and  piety,  which  were  written  or  translated  and  ed- 
ited by  him.  Cpuld  they  also  be  made  acquainted 
with  more  or  less  of  the  process  by  which  these 
results  were  wrought  out,  as  witnessed  by  those  who 
saw  him  from  day  to  day  in  his  studies  and  peram- 
bulations at  Andover;  the  unwearied  patience  and 
perseverance  with  which  he  ransacked  books,  and 
labored  to  apprehend,  reconcile,  and  digest  their  het- 
erogeneous contents,  and  at  the  same  time  the  con- 
scientious and  systematic  care  with  which  he  walked, 
and  talked,  and  swam,  and  in  various  other  ways 
recreated  and  exercised,  that  he  might  preserve  '  a 
sound  mind  in  a  sound  body,'  the  process  would  be 
scarcely  less  instructive  than  the  results  were  honor- 
able to  himself  and  valuable  to  the  Christian  com- 
munity. In  looking  over  the  very  valuable  donation 
of  books  from  his  private  library,  which,  in  accord- 
ance with  his  wishes,  his  surviving  brothers  have 
recently  transmitted  to  the  library  of  Amherst  Col- 
lege, I  have  been  struck,  not  only  with  his  love  of 
books,  but  with  the  wise  and  faithful  use  which  he 
made  of  them.  Large  as  the  donation  was,  nearly 
all  the  books  contain  marks  or  notes  from  his  pen  in 
the  margin,  or  on  the  blank  leaves,  showing  that  he 
had  consulted  them  and  expected  to  consult  them 
again ;  that  he  appreciated  their  contents  and  hoped 
to  apply  them  to  some  practical  and  sound  purpose. 
Alas,  that  so  many  of  his  hopes  and  purposes  were 
*  broken  off'  by  his  early  death!  There  are  few 
sadder  offices  than  the  distribution  or  appropriation 
by  others  of  such  a  minister's  library,  unless  it  be 
that  in  which  you  are  now  engaged  —  the  prepara- 


REV.   OLIVER   A.   TAYLOR.  545 

tion  of  a  tribute  to  the  memory  of  such  a  friend,  and 
that  friend  a  beloved  brother.  Yet  you  will  experi- 
ence a  melancholy  satisfaction  in  rendering  the  ser- 
vice. It  will  be  a  labor  of  love  on  your  part.  May 
you  be  guided  by  that  wisdom  which  is  profitable  to 
direct,  and  accompanied  by  that  blessing  which  alone 
can  render  the  work  truly  acceptable  and  useful." 

From  Professor  Hackett,  of  the  Theological  Sem- 
inary, Newton,  Massachusetts. 

"  My  acquaintance  with  your  deceased  brother 
commenced,  if  I  remember  right,  in  the  autumn  of 
1830.  With  the  exception  of  some  private  instruc- 
tion, which  I  received  from  him  in  one  of  the  mod- 
ern languages,  I  had  no  personal  knowledge  of  him 
as  a  teacher.  We  were  in  the  habit  of  occasional 
intercourse  so  long  as  I  remained  at  A.,  yet  after  that 
I  saw  him  but  seldom.  My  chief  means  of  forming 
an  opinion  of  his  attainments  are  those  furnished  by 
his  articles  in  the  literary  journals,  and  his  other  pub- 
lished writings.  Yet  limited  as  was  my  personal 
acquaintance  with  him,  I  knew  enough  of  his  char- 
acter and  habits  to  entitle  me  to  say,  that  he  pos- 
sessed eminently  some  of  the  best  traits  of  a  scholar  ; 
he  had  an  uncommon  aptitude  for  acquiring  knowl- 
edge ;  he  was  unwearied  in  his  industry,  was  enthu- 
siastic, and  loved  study  for  its  own  sake.  Philology, 
when  I  knew  him,  was  probably  his  favorite  pursuit; 
and  of  his  proficiency  in  it,  we  have  honorable  testi- 
mony in  the  translations  from  different  languages 
which  he  gave  to  the  public  in  the  Biblical  Repos- 
itory. He  very  justly  regarded  the  German  language 
as  the  key  to  the  richest  literature  of  modern  times, 
46* 


546  MEMOIR    OF 

and  spared  no  labor  to  make  himself  a  thorough 
master  of  it.  He  was  an  admirer  of  the  noble  lan- 
guage of  the  Hebrews,  and  knew  how  to  read  and 
enjoy  the  Old  T^estament  Scriptures,  as  those  can 
hardly  imagine  who  know  them  only  through  the 
medium  of  a  translation.  He  was  fond  also  of  pa- 
tristic studies,  and  I  have  read  with  interest  some  of 
his  productions  relating  to  them.  His  knowledge  of 
books  was  ^extensive.  Few  men  knew  better  than 
himself  where  to  find  the  information  which  he 
needed,  on  almost  any  subject.  In  point  of  learning, 
he  stood  certainly  among  the  best  informed  of  our 
clergy,  and  his  death  in  that  respect  has  deprived 
this  body  of  one  of  its  most  able  and  useful  mem- 
bers. I  was  in  a  foreign  land  at  the  time  of  his 
decease,  and  received  intelligence  of  it  from  the  late 
Prof.  Edwards,  of  Andover.  It  will  be  gratifying  to 
you  to  know  that  he  mentioned  your  brother  in  a 
manner,  which  evinced  both  sorrow  at  his  death  and 
a  high  estimation  of  his  character." 

From  Rev.  Dr.  Dana,  of  Newburyport,  Mass. 

"  With  your  beloved  and  lamented  brother  of 
Manchester,  I  had  considerable  acquaintance,  but 
not  so  much  as  I  wished.  Still,  the  views  I  have 
entertained  of  his  character  and  worth,  I  have  no 
hesitation  to  express. 

"  I  have  ever  regarded  him  as  distinguished  for  a 
genuine  warmth  and  kindness  of  heart.  Book-worm 
as  he  was,  his  intense  and  various  reading  did  not 
seem  to  chill  the  ardor  of  his  affections. 

"  For  this  ardor  of  feeling,  he  was  probably  in- 
debted in  part  to  natural  temperament.     Probably, 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  547 

too,  it  was  cherished  by  his  early  education.  Yet  it 
was  religion^  I  trust,  which  rendered  it  more  intense, 
and  more  tender,  more  uniform  and  extensive.  It 
was  this  which  fastened  his  sensibilities  on  the  proper 
spot ;  and  which,  while  it  inspired  strong  desires  for 
the  temporal  comfort  of  his  friends,  and  of  others, 
rendered  even  this  object  of  small  account,  compared 
with  their  spiritual  and  everlasting  well-being. 

"  He  was  a  genuine  scholar,  and  a  ripe  one.  With 
him,  study,  and  even  intense  study,  seems  to  have 
been  a  recreation.  None  can  read  his  Catalogue  of 
the  Library  of  the  Andover  Theological  Seminary, 
and  not  perceive  indications  of  learning,  various  and 
accurate,  extensive  and  minute.  This  work,  which, 
on  the  plan  adopted,  would  seem  to  constitute,  in 
ordinary  cases,  the  business  of  a  life,  was  compressed 
by  the  indefatigable  author  into  a  few  years.  He 
modestly  claims  for  himself  nothing  more,  than  to 
have  set  up  for  others  a  guide-board  to  the  fountains 
of  knoivledge.  But  in  doing  this,  he  has  exhibited 
a  mind  highly  disciplined,  and  abundantly  enriched. 
Professor  Tholuck,  unless  I  mistake,  has  spoken  of 
the  work  as  stamping  on  its  author  the  character  of 
an  accurate  and  distinguished  scholar. 

"  But  amid  all  his  scholastic  and  literary  attain- 
ments, he  came  to  the  Bible  with  the  simplicity  of  a 
child.  Here  he  found  his  heart  refreshed,  and  his 
piety  nourished.  Here  he  found  a  solid,  unfailing 
basis  for  his  own  hope,  and  his  own  religion.  The 
same  basis  of  hope  and  of  piety,  he  uniformly 
recommended  to  his  dear  people.  In  his  preaching, 
the  doctrines  of  the  cross  were  ever  uppermost  —  the 
Saviour's  divinity,  his  atoning  blood,  his  justifying 


548  MEMOIR    OP 

righteousness,  his  sanctifying  grace,  his  perfect  ex- 
ample —  in  short,  his  religion  —  a  religion  com- 
mencing in  the  heart  of  a  fallen,  perishing,  helpless 
sinner,  by  the  almighty  power  of  God,  and  carried  to 
its  perfection  by  the  sovereign  and  gracious  energy 
of  his  Spirit. 

"  I  might  expatiate  on  the  uniform  purity  of  his 
life,  and  the  excellency  of  his  Christian  example. 
But  these  were  matters  of  general  observation,  and 
general  acknowledgment.  There  were,  indeed,  cer- 
tain idiosyncrasies  in  his  character  and  manners, 
which  sometimes  afforded  food  for  criticism.  But 
with  those  who  best  knew  him,  these  things  were 
merged  and  lost  in  the  solid  excellences  of  his 
character. 

"On  the  whole,  it  is  delightful,  and  edifying  as 
delightful,  to  contemplate  a  man  of  learning,  laying 
all  his  acquisitions  at  the  foot  of  the  cross — a 
classical  scholar,  prizing  his  acquaintance  with  the 
Gospel 

*  Above  all  Greek,  above  all  Eoman  fame/  " 

From  Rev.  Dr.  Woods,  of  Andover,  Mass. 

"  During  the  many  years  your  brother  resided  in 
this  place,  I  had  an  intimate  acquaintance  and  free 
intercourse  with  him ;  and  this  intercourse  was  con- 
tinued and  attended  with  growing  endearment, 
through  the  whole  course  of  his  ministry  at  Man- 
chester. While  at  Andover,  he  was  a  diligent  and 
successful  student,  and  very  regular  in  his  deport- 
ment. He  was  distinguished  for  literary  talents  and 
acquisitions.  For  a  time,  he  was  so  devoted  to 
intellectual  pursuits,  and  aspired  so  ardently  after 


REV.   OLIVER    A.  TAYLOR.  549 

literary  eminence,  that  his  friends  doubted  whether 
he  would  be  so  happy  or  so  successful  as  might  be 
wished,  in  the  labors  of  the  sacred  office.  But  after 
he  entered  that  office,  a  most  desirable  change  man- 
ifested itself  in  his  religious  feelings  and  habits.  He 
loved  his  work,  and  labored  in  it  with  unwearied  dili- 
gence, and  through  the  divine  blessing,  with  remarka- 
ble success.  I  well  remember  what  ardor  and  satisfac- 
tion he  showed,  when  he  gave  me  an  account  of  the 
work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  among  his  people  during  a 
revival  of  religion,  and  with  what  joy  he  afterwards 
spoke  of  the  durable  fruits  of  that  happy  work.  At 
that  time,  and  through  the  subsequent  years  of  his 
life,  he  made  evident  progress,  not  only  in  the  clear- 
ness and  extent  of  his  theological  views,  but  in  his 
attainments  in  vital  godliness.  He  searched  the 
word  of  God  with  great  earnestness,  and  adopted  its 
obvious  teachings,  as  set  forth  in  the  Assembly's 
Shorter  Catechism,  and  in  the  writings  of  Edwards 
and  other  divines  of  the  same  Puritan  school.  To 
him  the  doctrines  of  evangelical  religion  were  not 
mere  speculations,  but  matters  of  Christian  experi- 
ence. I  learned  from  his  brethren  and  his  people, 
that  he  evinced  a  growing  interest  and  zeal  in  preach- 
ing the  doctrines  of  grace,  and  in  discharging  his 
pastoral  duties. 

"  During  last  October,  after  Mr.  Taylor  had  been 
sick  more  than  a  month,  I  spent  a  Sabbath  with  him 
by  his  request ;  and  it  was  a  Sabbath  which  I  can- 
not reflect  upon  without  very  lively  emotions.  It 
was  my  first  visit  to  Manchester.  The  evident  seri- 
ousness and  tenderness  of  the  congregation  in  the 
sanctuary,  showed  that  they  were  mindful  of  the 


550  MEMOIR    OF 

visitation  of  God's  providence  in  the  dangerous  sick- 
ness of  their  J)eloved  minister. 

"  But  it  was  my  visit  in  his  sick  chamber  which 
made  the  deepest  impression  on  my  mind.  He  had 
been  wasted  away  by  a  protracted  disease,  and  was 
so  exhausted  and  feeble,  that  it  was  a  matter  of 
doubt,  particularly  in  my  own  mind,  whether  he 
could  bear  the  excitement  even  of  a  short  visit,  with- 
out injury.  But  he  insisted  upon  seeing  me ;  and  I 
was  truly  surprised  as  well  as  gratified  at  the  bright- 
ness of  his  countenance,  the  clearness  of  his  thoughts, 
and  the  earnestness  and  strength  of  his  utterance. 
He  spoke  very  affectionately  of  our  former  inter- 
course in  the  seminary.  He  manifested  the  kindest 
feelings  towards  his  church  and  society,  and  expressed 
his  gratitude  to  God  for  the  encouraging  success 
which  had  attended  his  ministry.  He  conversed 
freely  of  his  own  Christian  experience ;  of  his  con- 
victions of  sin ;  of  his  severe  conflicts  with  the  pride 
of  his  own  heart ;  of  the  discovery  he  had  had  of  the 
excellency  and  all-sufl[iciency  of  Christ ;  and  the  rest 
of  soul  he  had  found  in  his  abounding  grace.  He 
spoke  of  his  love  to  all  who  bore  the  image  of  Christ, 
whatever  might  be  their  failings.  He  spoke  with 
joy  of  going  to  his  home  in  heaven.  But  he  still 
said,  that  he  should  be  glad  to  get  well,  —  for  he 
wanted  to  preach  Christ  more  earnestly  and  fully 
than  he  ever  had  done ;  although  he  had  taken  great 
pleasure  in  dwelling  upon  that  theme.  But  whether 
he  spoke  of  living  and  laboring  in  the  cause  of  relig- 
ion, or  of  closing  his  ministry  and  going  to  be  with 
Christ,  he  did  it  with  fervent  and  happy  emotions. 
His  language  was  free  and  earnest  throughout.   But 


REV.   OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  551 

he  evidently  had  inward  conceptions  and  aspirations, 
which  he  strove  in  vain  to  utter.  The  whole  frame 
of  his  mind,  his  recollections  of  the  past  and  antici- 
pations of  the  futm-e,  his  thoughts  of  the  gospel 
ministry,  his  views  of  divine  truth  and  the  salvation 
of  sinners,  his  views  of  Christ  and  the  Holy  Spirit, 
his  views  of  the  evil  of  sin  and  the  beauty  of  holi- 
ness, all  plainly  showed  that  he  was  near  to  heaven. 
That  visit  was  a  precious  one  to  me,  and  he  said  it 
was  so  to  him.  I  shall  remember  it  as  my  last  inter- 
view with  a  former  pupil  and  a  beloved  servant  of 
Christ,  who  in  his  labors  and  trials,  especially  in  the 
latter  years  of  his  life,  and  during  his  long  continued 
and  painful  sickness,  exhibited  clearer  and  more  sat- 
isfactory evidence  than  is  common  among  ministers, 
that  he  was  a  good  man,  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and 
of  faith:' 

Testimony  from  his  "  Association^' 

The  following  Resolution  was  passed  by  the 
Essex  South  Association,  at  a  meeting  held  in 
Salem,  January  6,  1852,  and  forwarded  to  the 
widow  of  Mr.  T. :  — 

"  Resolved,  In  view  of  the  recent  decease  of  our 
highly  esteemed  and  dearly  beloved  brother.  Rev. 
Oliver  A.  Taylor,  late  pastor  of  the  church  in  Man- 
chester, and  a  member  of  this  Association,  greatly 
valued  for  his  varied  literary  and  theological  acquire- 
ments, his  simplicity  of  character,  and  his  devoted 
piety,  that  we  deeply  deplore  his  loss  to  his  afflicted 
partner  and  friends,  to  the  mourning  flock  of  which 
he  was  the  able  and  affectionate  pastor;  to  the 
members   of  this   Association;   to  the   interests  of 


552  MEMOIR    OF  '  '^^i 

Zioii  in  this  community  and  at  large ;  and  that  we 
tender  our  heartfelt  condolence  to  the  bereaved  fam- 
ily and  people,  and  commend  them  to  God  and  the 
word  of  his  grace." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Salem*  Association,  held 
February  10,  1852,  at  Beverly,  the  scribe  was  di- 
rected, by  a  unanimous  vote,  to  place  on  their 
records  the  following  minute,  and  send  a  copy  of 
the  same  to  IVIrs.  T.,  viz. :  — 

"  Having  been  associated,  for  some  years,  in  inti- 
mate ministerial  relations  with  the  Rev.  Oliver  Alden 
Taylor,  late  pastor  of  the  church  in  Manchester,  we 
would  devoutly  recognize  the  admonitory  voice  of 
Divine  providence,  in  removing  him  from  his  earthly 
labors  and  great  usefulness.  In  all  our  intercourse, 
and  more  especially  in  circumstances  of  trial  pecu- 
liarly suited  to  reveal  the  spirit  of  his  heart,  we  have 
found  him  a  brother,  whom  we  have  continued  to 
love  with  the  most  entire  cordiality.  We  shall  ever 
cherish  his  memory,  with  very  high  esteem  for  his 
character,  as  '  a  good  man,'  and  '  a  good  minister  of 
Jesus  Christ.'  We  would  tender  an  affectionate 
condolence  to  Mrs.  Taylor,  in  her  heavy  affliction, 
and  to  the  church  and  people,  among  whom  our  de- 
ceased brother  was  so  signally  favored  with  the 
blessing  of  the  Holy  Spirit." 

Letters  from  two  of  his  clerical  neighbors. 

From  Rev.  W.  Gale,  Rockport,  Massachusetts. 
"  Hjs  intercourse  with  his  brethren  in  the  ministry 

*  The  Essex  South  and  the  Salem  Associations  constituted  only- 
one  body  till  a  short  time  previous  to  Mr.  T.'s  decease. 


REV.    OLIVER    A.    TAYLOR.  553 

was  affectionate  and  tender  beyond  what  is  common. 
On  this  account,  as  well  as  for  other  reasons,  they 
loved  him  very  much.  He  was  very  companionable, 
and  always  had  at  command  a  great  variety  of  in- 
teresting facts  and  anecdotes  with  which  he  enlivened 
and  made  interesting  his  conversation.  We  regarded 
him  as  a  humble,  pious,  and  truly  good  man  and  min- 
ister. The  same  affectionate  spirit  and  affability  of 
manner  which  characterized  his  private  intercourse 
with  his  brethren,  and  made  him  a  welcome  visitor 
and  guest  in  our  families,  constituted  a  leading  fea- 
ture in  his  preaching  and  public  addresses.  I  mourn, 
with  many  others,  that  the  Lord  in  his  inscrutable 
providence  has  taken  him  away  so  early.  His  mem- 
ory is  precious  to  me." 

From  Rev.  Dr.  Crowell,  of  Essex,  Massachusetts. 

"  I  had  the  pleasure  of  some  acquaintance  with 
him,  before  he  was  installed  as  pastor  at  Manchester. 
But  I  did  not  know  his  worth,  until  he  came  to  be 
my  neighbor.  We  had  many  pleasant  interviews, 
and  his  conversation  was  always  instructive  and 
profitable  —  free  from  censoriousness,  full  of  candor 
and  kindness,  cheerfully  serious,  and  often  spiritual. 
He  probably  was  guilty  as  little  of  the  sin  of  idle 
words,  or  foolish  talking  and  jesting,  as  any  man 
living.  He  was  always  affable,  ready  to  converse, 
but  never  disposed  to  engross  the  whole  conversation. 
In  his  intercourse  with  his  brethren,  he  was  truly 
fraternal,  treating  all  with  kindness,  courtesy,  and 
respect.  In  associational  meetings,  his  gentleness, 
affection,  and  candor,  were  as  manifest  as  his  talents 
and  learning. 

47 


554  MEMOIPw    OF 

"  We  held  frequent  correspondence  by  brief  notes 
in  Latin,  which  he  wrote  with  great  apparent  ease. 
These,  like  his  conversations,  were  marked  with  good 
sense.  Christian  affection,  and  devotion  to  the  cause 
of  the  Redeemer. 

"  As  a  preacher,  he  was  highly  acceptable  in  all 
our  churches.  His  sermons  were  rich  in  argument, 
illustration,  and  persuasion ;  sound  in  the  faith,  ad- 
dressed to  the  conscience,  in  language  chaste,  per- 
spicuous, forcible.  He  had  the  reputation  among 
us  of  being  an  instructive,  spiritual,  and  faithful 
preacher. 

"  I  might  say  many  things  more  of  his  excellent 
character,  devoted  life,  and  eminent  scholarship ;  but 
my  design  in  this  communication  is  simply  to  give, 
as  briefly  as  possible,  my  humble  testimony  to  his 
great  worth, /ro7?i  my  own  personal  acquaintance  with 
him.  His  loss  is  deeply  felt  by  us  as  of  a  neighbor, 
friend,  and  brother  beloved.  May  the  Great  Head 
of  the  church  raise  up  many  more  of  a  like  spirit 
and  temper,  to  build  the  walls  of  Zion,  and  restore 
her  waste  places." 

HIS     PUBLICATIONS. 

While  he  was  at  Meadville,  Pennsylvania,  at  the 
request  of  his  uncle,  he  was  accustomed  to  write 
articles  in  verse,  some  of  which  were  inserted  in 
newspapers.  The  first  of  the  kind  was  written  on 
the  occasion  of  laying  the  corner-stone  of  Bentley 
Hall,  July  5,  1820.  It  was  published  in  the  "  West- 
ern Standard,"  for  August,  1821.  The  second  was 
an  ode  composed  for  the  22d  of  December,  1820,  or 
the  two  hundredth  anniversary  of  the  landing  of  our 


REV.    OLIVER    A.   TAYLOR.  555 

forefathers.  This  also  was  published  in  the  above- 
named  paper.  His  third  article  of  this  description 
which  appeared  in  print  was  spoken  at  the  close  of  a 
funeral  oration  which  he  delivered  on  the  death  of  a 
student  in  Alleghany  College.  The  ^lext  consisted 
of  farewell  lines  to  Mr.  David  Remington  and  lady, 
who  were  on  their  way  as  missionaries  to  the  Choc- 
taws.  They  were  in  the  "  Standard,"  December  22, 
1821.  When  a  member  of  Union  College,  he  fur- 
nished several  articles  in  verse  for  the  Mohawk  Sen- 
tinel. The  first,  entitled  "  Charity,"  was  inserted 
October  28,  1824.  The  second,  "  The  Banks  of  the 
Mohawk,"  December  28,  of  the  same  year.  Another 
was  "  The  Slave."  While  at  Andover  Theological 
Seminary,  he  wrote  in  verse  "  A  Mother's  Soliloquy 
over  an  Only  and  Profligate  Child."  It  appeared  in 
the  Boston  Recorder,  December  23, 1825.  While  at 
Gloucester,  in  1827  and  1828,  he  furnished  for  the 
"  Telegraph"  a  dissertation  which  he  had  previously 
written  and  read  before  the  Society  of  Inquij'y  at 
Andover,  on  Western  Africa.  It  was  published  in  a 
regular  series,  with  one  or  two  exceptions,  making 
eleven  numbers  in  all.  In  the  last-named  paper, 
April  26,  1828,  he  inserted  a  fragment  in  verse,  en- 
titled Greece. 

While  in  the  Seminary  at  Andover,  1828  and  9, 
he  translated  various  articles  from  the  Conversations- 
Lexicon,  in  German,  for  Dr.  Lieber.  Some  of  the 
longest  are  Gnade  or  Grace,  Gnosticism,  Catholicism, 
Coronation,  Gold,  Goldbeater,  Goldbeating,  Ignition, 
or  Glowing  Heat,  all  of  which  are  in  the  Encyclo- 
paedia Americana.  Reinhard's  "  Plan  of  the  Founder 
of  Christianity,"  which  he  translated,  was  published 


556  MEMOIR    OF    REV.   0.   A.   TAYLOR. 

in  1831.  March,  1832,  he  published  "  Memoirs  and 
Confessions  of  Reinhard."  April  16,  "  Whate'er  God 
does  is  kindly  done,"  he  inserted,  by  request,  in  the 
Journal  of  Humanity.  It  was  an  imitation  of  a  Ger- 
man hymn,  ^e  published  a  review  of  Gurney  on 
the  Sabbath,  in  the  Spirit  of  the  Pilgrims,  June,  1823. 
"  Augustine  on  Preaching,"  is  inserted  in  the  Biblical 
Repository,  Vol.  III.,  No.  11,  July,  Art.  4,  page  569. 
In  May,  1834,  he  prepared  an  Index  for  Schmucker's 
"  Popular  Theology."  January,  1835,  he  published 
his  "  Brief  Views  of  the  Saviour."  PfeifFer  on  He- 
brew Music,  accompanied  with  Notes,  appeared  in 
the  numbers  of  the  Biblical  Repository  for  July  and 
October,  1835,  Vol.  VI.,  pages  136  and  357.  Refer- 
ence is  made  to  these  articles  on  music  in  the  Comp. 
Commentary,  Vol.  II.,  page  780,  Vol.  HI.,  pages  139 
and  279.  In  1838  appeared  his  Catalogue  of  the 
Andover  Seminary  Library.  In  the  summer  of  the 
same  year  he  prepared  a  "  Sketch,  Statistics,  etc.,  of 
the  Theological  Seminary,  Andover,  together  with  a 
list  of  all  the  Seminary  Alumni,  inclusive  of  the  then 
graduating  class."  This  document  was  published  in 
the  American  Quarterly  Register,  August,  1838.  Vol. 
seventh,  second  series  of  the  Biblical  Repository 
contains  an  article  by  him  on  "  Augustine  as  a  Sa- 
cred Orator."  See  the  April  number,  page  375.  In 
volume  eight  of  the  Christian  Review  is  an  article 
which  he  prepared  on  Chiliasm  or  Millenarianism ;  see 
page  115.  Sometime  in  1844,  the  Mass.  S.  S.  Soci- 
ety published  a  Memoir  of  Mr.  Andrew  Lee,  written 
by  him.  The  title  of  the  work  is  "  Pieti/  in  Humble 
Life^  His  translation  of  the  "  Dies  Irse,"  was  pub- 
lished in  the  Christian  Parlor  Magazine  for  August, 
1851. 


I N-D  E  X 


Birthplace  and  Parentage.     Rev.  T.  Alden,  pages  13,  14. 

Rev.  Habijah   Weld.      Afflictions    of  Oliver's  parents.      Their 
removal  to  Hawley,  15-17. 

Anecdote  of  Johnson.    Desire  of  knowledge.    Attempts  at  versifi- 
cation.    Perplexed  by  figurative  language,  18-21. 

First  emotions  of  sublimity.     Antiquarian  zeal.     His  genial  na- 
ture, 22. 

A  providential  escape.     Pious  Instructions.     Religious  develop- 
ments, 23,  24. 

Juvenile  religious  meditations.    Journalizing.    Makes  a  public 
profession  of  religion,  25-28. 

A  sacramental  Sabbath.    Fidelity  to  his  brothers.     A  walk  to  the 
distant  Sanctuary,  29-31. 

Zeal  In  attending  prayer-meetings.     Anecdotes.     Letter  from 
Deacon  J.  Cakes,  32,  33. 

Revival  in  Hawley.     Mr.  Grout's  notice,  and  Oliver's  descrip- 
tion of  it,  34-41. 

Great  affliction.      Leaves  home.      Ridiculed  in  his  attempts  to 
obtain  knowledge,  42,  43. 

A  summer  in  Ashfield.     Rev.  T.  Alden,  Jr.     Rev.  T.  Shepard. 
Letter  to  Miss  Sarah  W.  Alden,  44-47. 

Letter  to  his  parents.     Encouraged  by  Mr.  Shepard.     Visits  his 
parents.     Letter  from  Mr.  Shepard  to  the  compiler,  48-50. 

Sanderson    Academy.      Death   of  his  father.      Returns   to   the 
Academy,  51-54. 

A  journey  to  Wllliamstown.    Mr.  Oliver  Alden,  Athens,  New 
York,  55,  56. 

A  sketch  of  Mr.  Isaiah  Taylor,  57-60. 
47* 


558       •  INDEX. 

Preparation  for  a  long  journey.    Resolves.    Departure  for  Mead- 

ville,  61-64. 
Recollections,  by  a  surviving  brother.     Farewell  letters,  65-67. 
The  mother's   letter   to  her  father.      Sad   news.     The  journey 

pursued.     Arrives  at  Meadville.     Letter  to  his  mother,  68-73. 
The  Sabbath.    Solemn  reflections.    Education  Society,  74,  75. 
Lord's  Supper.    Bentley  Hall.    A  meteor.    Narrow  escape,  76-78. 
Pilgrims  of  Leyden,  —  an  ode,  79-81. 
Letter  to  his  mother.     Debating  Society.     Eulog}\     Teaching. 

Meditations,  82-84. 
Spring.     Solemn  reflections.     Letter  to  his  mother,  85,  86. 
Studies  resumed.     Tender  thoughts  of  his  mother.     Admitted  to 

College.     Letter  to  his  mother,  87,  88. 
Religious  efforts.     Singing  school.     Rev.  W.  Goodell,  89,  90. 
Rev.   Mr.  Remington.     Letter  to  his  mother.      Despondency. 

Sacrament,  91,  92. 
Leaves  Meadville.     Items  respecting  Rev.  T.  Alden,  93-95. 
Journey  to  Schenectady.     An  affecting  scene,  96-98. 
Enters  Union  College.     A  prayer.     Anxiety  relieved,  99,  100. 
Revival  news.     Letters  to  his  mother,  101-104. 
Visits  Hawley.     Affecting  meeting  with  his  mother,  105. 
Scenes  of  his  childhood.    An  evening  meeting,  106. 
Parting  with  brothers  and  sisters.      Kindness  of   the  people. 

Returns  to  College,  107. 
Bad  tones  of  voice.     Ambition.     Kindness  of  College  officers, 

108. 
Letter  to  his  sister  Sarah.     A  meditation.     Letter  to  his  mother, 

109,  110. 
Sceptical  tendencies.     Smiles  and  frowns.  111. 
Illness.     Need   of  friends.     Letter  to   his  brother   T.      Letter 

to  Col.  J.  Longley,  112,  113. 
Zeal  in    study.     Albany   Presbytery.     A  vacation.      Sickness, 

114,  115. 
At  Hawley.     Regains  health.     Returns  to  College,  116. 
Religious  interest  in  College.     Letter  to  his  mother,  117. 
Absorbed  in  studies.     Phi  Beta  Kappa  Society.    Letter  to  his 

mother.     To  his  brother  R. .  Another  to  his  mother.     A  va- 
cation.    New  year,  118-120. 
Poverty.     Visit  to  a  murderer.     Teaching,  121, 122. 


INDEX.  559 

Another  visit  to  the  murderer.     Letter  to  his  mother,  123. 
Spring.     Sick  students.     Affection  of  mothers  and  sisters,  124. 
Death  and  burial  of  a  class  mate,  125. 
Exposure  to  the  Varioloid.     Lafayette.    Letter  to  Col.  Longley, 

126. 
Translation  of  Biot.    Last  Sabbath  in  College.     Commencement. 

Leaves  Schenectady,  127. 
At  Hawley.     Interviews  with  aged  Christians,  128. 
Theological    Seminary,  Andover.     Visits  Yarmouth.     Letter  to 

his  mother,  129,  130. 
Genealogical  investigations. '    Kindness  of  friends.     First  sermon 

at  Andover,  131,  132. 
Letter  to  a  friend.     Religious  depression.     Kindness  of  Rev.  T. 

Shepard,  133.  • 

A  present.     Letter  to  his  mother.     To  a  brother.     To  Rev.  J. 

Grout,  134,  135. 
Death  of  a  student.     A  disappointment.     First  Seminary  vaca- 
tion, 136-138. 
Letters  to  his  eldest  sister,  139-141. 
Letter  to  his  mother.     Temperance  pledge,  142. 
Letter  to  his  mother.     Visits  Yarmouth.     A  new  year,  143, 144. 
Sermons  on  self-denial.    Albany  Presbytery.    Palestine,  145,  146. 
Labors  as  a  Missionary  in  Boston,  147-149. 
Letter  to  his  mother.     Visits  Hawley.     Teaches  in  Gloucester, 

150,  151. 
Letter  to  Mrs.  S.  W.  Matthews.     To  Mr.  Josiah  Lyman,  152, 153. 
Letter  to  his  mother.    To  Mr.  Grout.     To  Mr.  Lyman,  154-156. 
Letter  to  his  brother  T.     To  his  mother,  157,  158. 
Returns  to  Andover.     Visits  Yarmouth,  159. 
Death  of  his  grandfather.    Translates  from  the  German.     Rev. 

Mr.  Baldwin,  160,  161. 
Letter  to  his  mother.     Missionary  calls.     Reflection  on  the  past. 

Letter  to  his  brother  T.,  162-164. 
Letter  to  his  mother.     Licensed  to  preach.     Mother  of  Harriet 

Newell,  165. 
Is  offered  a  tutorship.     Letter  to  his  mother.     To  his  sister  Mar- 
tha, 166,  167. 
Graduation  at  Andover.     Preaches  in  Topsfield.     Invited  to  G., 

in  Connecticut.     Translations,  168,  169. 


560  INDEX. 

A  call  to  Topsfield.     Is  urged  to  accept  it.    Declines  it,  170,  171. 
A  new  year.     Invited  to  become  a  missionary  to  the  Jews.     Let- 
ter to  his  mother,  172. 

Items.     Agency  of  evil  spirits,  etc.,  173. 

Letters  to  his  mother.  Sabbaths  and  Fast-days.  Letter  from 
Professor  Fiske,  1 74,  1 75. 

Ill  heaUh.  A  reproof.  Reinhard.  Removal  to  Hartford,  Con- 
necticut, 176,  177. 

An  Indian  chief.  Mr.  Gallaudet.  Dr.  Chapin.  Glastonbury. 
Dr.  Austin.  Dr.  Hawes.  Cheering  news.  Letter  to  a  friend, 
178,  179. 

Letter  to  his  mother.     Commencement  at  New  Haven,  180,  181. 

Letter  to  his  mother.  At  Andover.  Manuscripts  of  President 
Edwards,  182,  183. 

Letter  to  his  brother  T.  Comparative  Anatomy.  Botany,  184, 
185. 

Reads  immensely.  Book  borrowers.  Desires  for  holiness.  Let- 
ter to  his  brother  T.,  18G,  187. 

Letter  to  his  mother.  A  detached  thought.  Letter  to  his  brother 
T.    Dyspepsia,  188,  189. 

Nosology.    Invited  to  teach.     Birthday.     Serious  doubts,  190. 

Rev.  W.  S.  Schauffler.  Rev.  Mr.  Emerson.  Mental  agony.  Let- 
ter to  his  brother  T.,  191. 

Letters  to  his  brother  R.  Gloomy  reflections.  Letters  to  his 
brother  T.,  192-195. 

"  Whate'er  God  does."  Critical  study  of  the  Scriptures.  Me- 
moir of  Reinhard.    Contracted  minds.     New  Divinity,  196, 197. 

Letter  to  his  brother  T.  Thoughts  on  eternity.  Death  of  aged 
friends.  An  invitation  to  settle.  Cholera  spasmodica.  History 
of  the  Pulpit,  198-200. 

Critical  study  of  the  Hebrew.  Family  history.  A  Lamentation, 
201. 

Items.  Swedenborg's  doctrines.  Mnemonics.  Mr.  Jonas  King. 
Letter  to  his  brother  T.,  202. 

Indian  troubles.  Letter  to  his  mother.  Letter  from  Rev.  W.  S. 
Schauffler  to  the  compiler,  203-205. 

A  sad  soliloquy.  Oberlin  and  Neff.  Dreams.  Mental  agonies, 
206,  207. 

Letter  to  a  friend.     Confidence  in  God.     Items^  208,  209. 


INDEX.  561 

Resolutions  and  temptations.     Fame  of  this  world.     Speculation, 

210,  211. 
Beauty  in  holiness.     Intrigue  for  station.     Government  of  the 

tongue,  212. 
Hebrew  Cantillation.     Study  of  Rabbinic.     Tossed  upon  billows, 

213,  214. 
A  scene  in  West  Newbury.     Sympathy  with  sufferers.     The  in- 
sane at  Worcester,  215-218. 
A  visit  to  Hawley.     An  imaginary  scene.     A  personal  allegory, 

219-223. 
Affecting   parting   with   his  mother.     A    Sabbath   at   Amherst. 

Mount  Holyok<i,  224,  225. 
Meteoric  shower.     A  call  to  Braintree.     Still  at  Andover.     Legh 

Richmond,  226-230. 
Uniformity  of  Nature's  laws.      Letter  to  Rev.  J.  F.   Stearns, 

231,  232. 
Death  of  Dr.  Porter.     His  character.     Myra,  a  colored  servant. 

Her  funeral.     Reflections,  233,  234. 
Death  of  a  clergyman  at  the  South.     A  summer  morning  con- 
templation, 235,  236. 
A  Sabbath  with  Rev.  Samuel  Stearns.     A  few  weeks  in  New 

Bedford.     A  brother's  tirade  against  the  Taylors,  237. 
A  birthday.     A  morning  walk  to  the  ocean  (New  Bedford),  238, 

239. 
A  fine  collection  of  shells.     A  Sabbath  at  Berkley.     Affectation. 

Thunderstorm  (Andover),  240-242. 
Publishes  "  Brief  Views  of  the  Saviour,"  etc.     Pfeiffer  on  the 

Music  of  the  ancient  Hebrews.     Sickness  of  his  sister  Martha, 

243-246. 
Struggles  of  himself  and  brothers.     Letter  to  a  friend,  247,  248. 
Visit  from  a  brother.     Commences  the  "  Catalogue."     Letters  to 

sisters,  249,  250. 
Latin  letter  to  his  brother  T.     A  beautiful  extract,  251,  252. 
Letter  to  his  brother  J.     A  brother  at  Andover.     Letters  to  his 

brother  R.,  253-255. 
His  daily  routine.     Abundance   of  labor.     Poverty  of  literary 

men,  256. 
Letter  to  his  sister  Mary.     A  striking  conversion,  257,  258. 


562  INDEX. 

Visits  his  mother.     Rev.  Moses  Hallock.     Letter  to  his  brother 

T.,  259,  260. 
Letter  to  his  youngest  sister.      Thoughts  on  Christian  charity, 

261. 
Assistant  teacher  of  Biblical  literature.      Sickness  of  Professor 

Stuart,  262. 
Death  of  Mr.  Johnson,  Preceptor  of  Phillips  Academy.     Letter 

to  a  friend,  263. 
Is  invited  to  New  York  Theological  Seminary.     Death  of  a  sis- 
ter's child,  264. 
Letter  to  his  mother.     To  a  friend,  265,  266. 
High  religious  enjoyment.     The  home  of  Mrs*  Dwight.     Great 

trials.     Great  joys,  267-269. 
Burial  of  Mrs.  Cowles.     The  Catalogue  completed.     Professor 

Jewett's  testimony.     Letter  to  his  brother  J.,  270. 
Depression  of  spirits.     An  excursion.    An  earnest  prayer.    Good 

news.     Birthday,  271-273.  '  . 

Devotes  himself  to  preaching.     Affecting  death  in  Dracut,  274, 

275. 
Ordained  an  evangelist.    Preaches  in  Greenfield.    Visits  Hawley, 

276-283. 
Preaches  in  Hatfield.     Receives  a  call.     Preaches  in  Danvers, 

284,  285. 
Lines  to  an  afflicted  sister,  286. 
A  scene  in  Natick.     An  interesting  Sabbath,  287. 
Letter  to  Mrs.  Graves,  of  Hatfield,  288,  289. 
Overwhelming  love  of  God.     A  present.     Address  to  the  people 

of  Hatfield,  290,  291. 
His  gourd  removed.     Other  calls.     Heaven  glorious,  292,  293. 
Desire  for  former  studies.     Indian  insulted.     An   infant  forty 

years  old,  294,  295. 
Death  of  his  uncle  T.  Alden,  296. 

Secret  prayer  in  the  woods.     Shall  I  go  on  a  mission  ?  297,  298. 
Particular  reasons  for  being  a  missionary.     Objections,  299-306. 
Sweet  communion  with  God.     Tendency  to  irritation,  307. 
Call  to  settle  in  Manchester — accepted.     A  southern  tour,  308. 
A  Sabbath  in  Philadelphia.     Another  in  Baltimore.    Mount  Ver- 
non, 309-312.  . 


INDEX.  563 

Letter  to  Mrs.  McFadden.     Letter  to  his  uncle  Isaiah  Alden. 

His  Installation,  313,  314. 
As  a  sermonizer.     Fears  in  respect  to  his  success  as  a  Pastor,  315. 
Scenery  of  Manchester.     Fervor  in  prayer,  316. 
Death  of  a  parishioner.     Letter  from  one  of  his  church  members, 

to  the  compiler,  317. 
A  night  with  Professor  Emerson.     Farewell  to  his  old  study,  318. 
Letter  to  a  slave-holder  desiring  to  join  his  church,  319. 

Letters  to  Prof. ,  on  his  election  to ,  in ,  320-322. 

A  solemn  Sabbath.     Lending  books.     Perplexity,  323. 

A  feeling  of  unfitness  for  the  ministry.     Latin  letter  to  his  brother 

T.,  324. 
His  mother's  letters  inade  into  a  book.     Latin  letter  to  his  brother 

T.,  325. 
Anniversary  of  his  father's  death.     A  playful  remark.     A  Latin 

letter,  326-328. 
Resolution  on  book  buying.     Fervor  in  prayer.    A  revival,  329. 
Letter  to  Mrs.  Thacher,  of  Hawley.     Latin  letters,  330-332. 
A  glow-worm  minutely  described,  333-335. 

Visits  Slatersville,  Rhode  Island.      Anniversary  Sabbath.      Or- 
dination of  his  brother  R.,  336,  337. 
Election  day.     Thanksgiving.     Efforts  of  the  wicked,  338. 
Faithful  Christiai>s.     Rev.  W.  B.  Tappan,  339. 
The  adversary  active.     Latin  letter.     Zeal  of  sectarians,  340-342. 
Letter  to  his  brother  J.     President  Harrison's  death,  343. 
Prayer  in  the  woods.     Glimpses  of  the  divine  countenance,  344. 
Fidelity  to  the  Sabbath  School.     The  pulpit  an  awful  place,  345. 
Calls  upon  the  sick.     Death  of  his  predecessor,  346. 
Strictures  on  his  preaching.     A  death.     Visit  to  his  mother,  347. 
Letter  from  Heath  to  his  mother,  348. 
Sickness  and  death  of  Mr.  Andrew  Lee,  349. 
Pleasant  pastoral  visits.     Delight  in  the  promises,  350. 
Frequent  deaths  at  sea.    Anguished  mothers.    A  death-bed  scene. 

Pastoral  fidelity.     A  dying  Christian,  351,  352. 
Need  of  enduring  nerves.     Fearful  temptation.     Lines  on  Spring, 

353,  354. 
His  liberality  to  the  poor.     Essay  on  Augustine.     Letters  to  Mrs. 

Lee,  355-357. 
Letter  to  his  brother  J.     A  mother's  anxiety  for  her  son,  358. 


564  INDEX. 

A  dove  on  his  -window.  A  fallen  tree.  "Visit  from  his  brother  T. 
and  wife,  359. 

Prayer  at  midnight.  Visits  Andover.  American  Board  at  Nor- 
wich, 360. 

A  prayer  in  Roxbury.     Letter  to  his  brother  T.  and  wife,  361. 

Tears  of  joy.     The  Salem  sufferer.     Attentions  of  his  people,  362. 

Sermon  on  Millerism.  Association.  Glimpses  of  Christ's  Gar- 
ments, 363. 

Rev.  Mr.  Knapp.  Salary  difficulties.  Appearances  of  a  revival, 
364. 

Sectarians  rush  in.    A  revival  commences.   Il^ues  relinquished,  365. 

Troubles  from  Isms.     Much  tinder  in  the  church  at  M.,  366,  367. 

Choice  moments.  Millerites  alarmed  by  a  comet.  A  flood  of  di- 
vine love,  368. 

Wounded  by  the  church.  A  terrific  onset.  Oppressive  sense  of 
sin,  369. 

Indescribable  views  of  redeeming  love.  Hebrew  proverb.  Beau- 
tiful quotations.  Letter  to  his  brother  J.  Sickness  of  his  mo- 
ther, 370-372. 

Interview  with  his  sick  mother.  A  night  at  Ashfield.  Morning 
walk.     Mental  darkness,  373. 

At  South  Deerfield.  A  walk  to  Amherst.  Prayer  in  the  night. 
Returns  to  M.     The  catechism,  374. 

God  a  faithful  friend.  Divine  presence  desired.  Time  invalua- 
ble, 375. 

His  youngest  brother  graduates.  Affecting  Scene.  Dr.  Hum- 
phrey, 376. 

Life  a  Waterloo  battle.    Letter  to  Rev.  J.  F.  Stearns,  377-379. 

Letters  to  Mrs.  C.  H.  Taylor,  at  Saratoga  Springs.  Letter  to  his 
mother,  380-384. 

His  marriage.     Visits  Slatersville.     The  mother  of  his  wife,  385. 

Close  of  the  year.  A  Sabbath  at  Hamilton.  Great  sense  of  un- 
worthiness,  386. 

Burial  of  a  friend.  Two  kinds  of  winters  in  Manchester.  A  ser- 
mon on  the  Holy  Spirit,  387. 

Prayer  in  the  woods.  Salary  difficulties.  An  incident  at  Essex, 
388. 

The  wisest  generation.  .Toll-gates.  A  dilemma.  A  female  scep- 
tic, 389,  390. 


INDEX.  565 

Allston's  Belshazzar.     Powers  of  tlie  violin.     Doubtful  decision, 
391. 

Visit  from  his  brother  R.     AfTectlng  scene  at  Essex.     Rev.  E.  L. 
Cleaveland,  392.  ^ 

Captain  Trask.^  Memoir  of  Mr.  A.  Lee.     Votes  for  Mr.  Clay. 
Mourners,  393. 

Death  of  his  wife's  mother.     Her  traits  of  character.     Lines  on 
her  death,  to  his  wife,  394-398. 

Letter  to  his  brother  J.     Visiting  the  people.     Unreasonable  re- 
quest.    Salary  sorrows,  399. 

Letter  from  Worcester.     Zeal  for  the  church.    An  interview  with 
Mr.  W.,  at  Boston,  400,  401. 

Present  from  Rev.  J.  Peabody,  of  Erzroom.     A  wicked  father, 
402. 

Little  children  brought  to  Christ.     Letter  from  Danielsonville, 
Connecticut,  403,  404. 

A  new  Cemetery.     Christians  not  attentive  to  principle.     The 
new  Society,  405-407. 

Sabbath  desecration.     Genealogical  Society.     American  Board  at 
Brooklyn,  408. 

Freehold,  New  Jersey.     The  Tennents.    Colonel  Monkton.    Sab- 
bath School  Teachers  preaching,  409. 

A  dying  mother's  infant  baptized.     Letter  to  his  brother  J.,  410. 

Irreligion  abounding.     Glowing  thoughts.     Farewell,  1845.     An- 
tiquarian facts,  411. 

Letter  to  his  sister  Mary.    Ill  health.     A  sick  Christian,  412-415. 

Dedication  hymn.     Thoughts  on  elegant  sanctuaries,  organs,  etc., 
416,  417. 

Letter  to  Mrs.  McFadden.     To  his  brother  T.     To  his  wife  from 
Hawley,  418-420. 

Death  of  a  prominent  parishioner,  421. 

Lines  on  the  death  of  C.  M.  Nickels,  422. 

American  Board  at  New  Haven,  423. 

Antiquarian  tour  in  Connecticut,  424. 

Death  of  Rev.  Mr,  Jewett.    A  Sabbath  at  Gloucester.    John  Fos- 
ter's writings.     Funeral  at  Essex,  425,  426. 

A  new  year.     Great  spiritual  comfort.  Anecdotes,  427. 

Death  of  a  colored  clergyman.    Death  of  Rev.  Mr.  Mansfield, 
428. 

48 


566  INDEX. 

Western  tour.     Reflections  on  leaving  home.     An  address,  429. 

Railroad  travelling.  -  Pittsburg.  Cincinnati.  On  the  Ohio.  Sla- 
very, 430-432. 

On  the  Mississippi.     St.  Louis.    Nauvoo,  433-435. 

Peoria.     Near  Detroit.     Niagara  Falls,  436-441. 

Letter  to  his  mother  from  Yarmouth,  442. 

Ordination  of  his  brother  Jeremiah.  Letter  to  Dr.  Hooker,  443- 
445. 

A  day  of  rebukes.  Triumphant  death.  A  Sabbath  at  "Wenham, 
446. 

Ordination  sermon  printed.  Deaths.  The  French  Revolution, 
447. 

Anguish  of  Spirits.    Wonderful  joy.     The  Saviour  near,  448. 

His  mother's  daguerreotype.  Letter  of  counsel  to  his  brother  J., 
449,  450. 

A  sister's  marriage.     The  California  gold  fever,  45  L 

Day  of  fasting.  Mental  despair.  Others  are  tried.  Revival 
signs,  452,  453. 

Letters  to  his  brother  T.,  at  Washington,  D.  C,  454-456. 

Boston  Annive'rsaries.  Delegate  to  Rhode  Island.  Death  of  Rev. 
W.  B.  Tappan,  457,  458. 

Deprived  of  a  house.  A  Sabbath  in  Salem.  Letter  to  the  Bos- 
ton Traveller,  459. 

Sick  at  Wenham.  Death  of  Mr.  Oliver  Alden.  A  sister  in  afflic- 
tion, 460,  46L 

Change  of  dwellings.  Loss  of  time.  Death  of  Miss  M.  W.  Pun- 
chard,  462. 

Dr.  Parkman  and  Professor  Webster.     Letter  to  his  mother,  463. 

Thirtieth  anniversary  of  his  father's  death.  Reminiscences  of-that 
father,  464-466. 

Saviour  near.  Latin  Letter  to  Dr.  Crowell.  Letter  to  his  bro- 
ther T.,  467,  468. 

Annual  parish  trial.  Sabbath  at  Newburyport.  Boston  Anniver- 
saries, 469. 

Death  of  President  Taylor.  Visits  from  friends.  Bicentennial  at 
Topsfield,  470. 

Mournful  tidings.  Ordination  at  Lynnfield.  Handsome  present, 
471. 

Cleaveland  Genealogy.    Journalizing.     Laughing  at  death,  472. 


INDEX.  567 

A  returned  Californian.     Affecting  death.     Disaster  at  New  Or- 
leans.    Captain  J.  P.  Holm.     Narrow  escape.     Many  Man- 

chesters,  473-475. 
Beginning  of  his  last  year.     Anxiety  for  a  youth.     Sciatic  attack, 

476. 
Letter  to  the  parents  of  Rev.  J.  Emerson,  on  their  son's  death, 

477-478. 
Gambling  in  Manchester.    Parish  meeting.    Dehghtful  interview, 

479. 
Depression  of  spirits.     Trust  in  Providence.    Letter  to  his  brother 

T.,  480. 
Journey  to  Meadvllle,  Pennsylvania.     The  college.     Unitarian 

Theological  Seminary,  481. 
Is  sick  at  Deposit,  New  York.     Visits  Newark  and  New  Haven. 

Letter  to  Rev.  Mr.  Gale,  482. 
Visits  Hawley.     A  Sabbath  in  Hawley.     Visits  Plainfield  with  his 

mother,  483. 
A  heavenly  scene  in  Plainfield.     Last  interview  with  his  mother, 

484. 
Visits  South  Deerfield.     Returns  to  Manchester.     Parting  with  a 

friend.     Letter  to  his  brother  T.,  485. 
Writes  to  Portland.     Preface  and  translation  of  "Dies  Ira?,"  486- 

490. 
A  pleasant  Sabbath.     A  Sabbath  at  Lynn  field.     Death  of  Rev. 

W.  M.  Rogers,  491. 
Birthday  anniversary.     Sickness.     Solemn  review.     Kindness  of 

friends.     A  tornado,  492. 
A  dark  cloud.     Scripture  comfort.      The  President  at  Boston, 

493. 
Visit  from  his  eldest  brother.     Affecting  Interview,  494. 
A  happy  frame.     Correspondence  from  Manchester,  495. 
Discouraging  symptoms.     Prayer  for  young  men.     A  striking  re- 
mark, 496. 
Pilgrim's  Progress.     Isaiah  xxxii.  1 7.     Great  mental  distress,  497. 
Health  prospects  brighter.     A  visit  from  his  brother  J.,  498. 
Interview  with  Rev.  Dr.  Woods.     Letter  to  his  mother,  499-501. 
Note  to  Deacon  Price.     Sabbath  breakers,  502. 
He  Is  carried  into  his  study,  503. 
A  choir  difficulty  settled.     Letter  to  his  brother  T.,  504. 


568  INDEX. 

Letter  to  his  Association.     Address  to  Sabbatli  School,  505-507. 

A  visit  from  his  brother  R.    Letter  to  Mrs.  McFadden,  508,  509. 

Letter  to  his  mother,  510. 

Health  improving.     Visit  from  his  brother  T.,  511. 

Mother  and  sisters  unable  to  visit  him.     Letter  to  Mrs.  Maitland, 

512,  513. 
A  gift.     The  Saviour  near.     Thanksgiving  day,  514. 
Kindnesses  recounted.     Sabbath  School  addressed,  515-517. 
A  new  development  of  disease.     He  faints  away,  518. 
The  Saviour  near.    Literary  projects  on  hand,    llefreshing  letters, 

519. 
"Worldly  concerns  arranged.     Redeeming  love  more  than  ever 

precious.     Business  perplexities,  520. 
An  interview  with  Rev.  Mr.  Sessions.     Letter  from  Rev.  Mr.  Ses- 
sions to  the  compiler,  521,  522. 
An  effort  at  journalizing.     Four  specifications,  523. 
Further  particulars.     A  wonderful  visit  from  the  Saviour,  524. 
Intense  anxiety  for  his  people.     A  remark  to  his  brother  J.    The 

closing  scene  described  in  a  letter  to  a  brother,  525-528. 
Letters  of  condolence  to  Mrs.  Taylor,  529,  530. 
The  funeral.     A  severe  storm.     Place  of  burial,  531. 
Monumental  inscription,  532. 
His  hbrar}'.     Legacies  acknowledged,  533-535. 
His  pastoral  habits  and  influence,  536-540. 
Letters  to  the  compiler :  —  Dr.  Nott's ;  Bishop  Potter's ;  Professor 

Tyler's;  Professor  Hackett's ;  Dr.  Dana's;   Dr.  Woods's,  541- 

550. 
Associational  resolves,  550. 
Letter  from  Rev.  Mr.  Gale;    from  Dr.  Crowcll.     Publications, 

551-556. 


ERRATA. 


Page  13,  last  line,  for  Shepherd  read  Shepard;  p.  31,  1.  6,  for  their  read  the  ;  p.  S3, 
1.  3,  for  occupying  read  occupy;  p.  112,  second  line  of  a  Letter,  insert  to  before  you; 
p.  211, 1. 14;  for  honoreth  read  honor;  p.  261, 1. 16,  for  soul  read  sect;  p.  327, 1. 17,  the 
vrord  nan  should  be  inserted  between  vivos  and  est. 


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